The US Health Insurance System.

The US has, perhaps, the most complicated healthcare coverage system in the world. Although it is primarily a fee-for-service system, the primary means of accessing healthcare is through either an insurance policy (public or private) or as a direct payment from client (patient) to provider (doctor). Insurance can be expensive, and even with all the various forms of coverage, there are millions of Americans without any insurance whatsoever. This means they either do not access healthcare, or they pay as they go when they can afford it. In addition to private and public insurance, there are specific government-funded programs for persons with disabilities, children, and veterans. Even with attempts at reform such as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) (2010), health insurance in the United States remains a hotly debated and complex issue.