National health insurance refers to a government-run or government-administered healthcare system that provides comprehensive medical coverage and financial protection to all its citizens. This type of insurance is designed to ensure that individuals have access to necessary healthcare services without facing financial hardship or being denied treatment based on their income or social status.
Under a national health insurance scheme, the government collects funds either through taxes, premiums, or a combination of both, and uses this pool of resources to cover medical expenses for the population. The insurance scheme typically includes coverage for a wide range of healthcare services, such as outpatient care, hospital stays, preventive care, prescription medications, and occasionally dental and vision care.
The main objectives of national health insurance are to improve overall population health, promote equity in healthcare access, and protect individuals from high out-of-pocket expenses in times of illness or injury. By pooling resources and spreading the financial risk across the entire population, national health insurance systems aim to ensure that healthcare services are available to all citizens based on medical necessity rather than ability to pay.
Countries with national health insurance schemes vary in their specific structures and implementation, such as single-payer systems, social health insurance models, or hybrid approaches. Each country's system reflects its unique political, cultural, and economic context, but the overarching goal remains consistent: providing affordable and accessible healthcare to all citizens.
