U.s. Healthcare System : The United States

In 2003, about 62% of Americans were enrolled with a private insurance company through their employers, 5% were individually enrolled in a private non-group insurance plan, 15% were enrolled with a public insurance company, and 18% were uninsured (Chua, 2006). Public health insurance includes programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, S-CHIP, VA, and many others. Medicare is a program that covers individuals who are 65 years and older and some disabled individuals. It is financed from the federal income taxes that are collected by the government. Part A of the program covers hospital services, Part B covers physician services, and Part D covers prescription drugs. Because Medicare does not fully cover all the needs of the elderly such as skilled nursing facilities, dental, hearing, preventative, and vision care, many of the enrollees seek supplementary insurance (Chua, 2006). Medicaid is a program that covers the low-income population, as well as disabled individuals. By federal law, states are mandated to cover children, disabled, elderly, parents, and poor pregnant women. Adults who do not have children are not covered. It is optional for states to expand eligibility, such as increasing income eligibility levels. Medicaid is administered by the District of Columbia and the states, resulting in 51 different Medicaid programs in the country (Chua, 2006). Like Medicare, Medicaid