universal coverage

universal coverage

Universal access Health care reform The provision of health care for entire group–including preventive care–eg, vaccines, screening, outpatient visits to a generalist or specialist, hospitalization for basic and catastrophic needs. See Canadian plan, Clinton plan, Socialized medicine. Cf Underinsured, Uninsured.

universal coverage

A health insurance plan that reimburses all citizens for all or part of their health care costs. It may insure all health-related services or specific (“safety-net”) services only, or it may be tiered, providing different services depending on the amount of funding the insured person chooses to contribute to the plan. Synonym: universal health insurance coverage