In a universal healthcare system, who usually pays for it?

Question

Is it the government, because I have been reading a lot that taxes usually rise, but who ultimately pays for it, does the citizen pay higher taxes AND a insurance bill or does the government foot the bill and just raise taxes?

Answer 1

We tax payers foot the bill for universal healthcare.

Answer 2

OK, where exactly do you think the government gets it's money from?  The citizens, and taxes.  Usually it's either payroll taxes, or the UK does a hefty sales tax (hefty - like 25%, because their unemployment rate is so high).  

Then citizens that can afford private insurance, ALSO buy private insurance.  So the private insurance care is MUCH better than the state sponsored care.  Better service, no lines.  It's been that way in the Netherlands for 20 + years.

Answer 3

You are the government. The government does not create or earn money, they raise it by taxing you. It is you who will ultimately pay for it through higher taxes. Unless you're on welfare and do not pay taxes.

Answer 4

The government will raise the taxes like crazy, and everybody will have to pay a lot, even the government will have to pay for it, till it last. And then it will go broke.

reply to matt: Just wait and you will see...

Answer 5

...reply to dani5050, Who has had universal health care that went broke? Several countries have universal health care, and to the best of my knowledge, none have went bottom-up. Although most of them are imperfect. When it is all said and done, it is cheaper then the system we have now in the US, and everyone can be covered.

...most are about 75% government funded & 25% privately funded.