Health insurance is becoming one of modern man's most pressing needs. The issue creates great divisions within populations, as seen with opposing views, opposing votes and opposing political parties which address this issue, each and every election cycle in each and every country around the world.

Countries have different ways of tackling the issue of healthcare and more specifically the need and form of health insurance. The single-payer health insurance system is becoming more widely-discussed domestically by Americans. But both Canada and the United Kingdom have already gone single-payer and show what its positives and negatives are. When it comes to Canada and Britain, each government has a different role in the system and in exactly what is covered. In Canada the government is responsible for the financing of the health sector while the private sector takes on the responsibility of caring for patients.

Canadian citizens utilize the free healthcare provided by the government but also supplement this government-funded option with private health insurance, often through employment or jobs. This additional coverage provides dental insurance, optometry insurance and prescription drug insurance. In contrast, the United Kingdom has taken a much more blatantly socialistic approach to their medicine. Their government is responsible for both the financing and the actual care of patients. Patients are served by what is called The National Health Service.

The United Kingdom does also have a private sector healthcare insurance option that coincides with the government funding. This system is funded through the public's taxes. Only ten percent of the UK's citizens buy private insurance--they don't feel they have the need for it. Australia is also a good example of a successful single-payer healthcare system. Australia's medicare subsidies most medical costs in Australia for all Australian citizens and permanent residents, who earn at least a certain income and pay a tax of 2%. Health insurance companies provide extra private sector insurance options to citizens to provide greater healthcare options for them. For Canada and Britain the governments spend about 10% of their GDP on healthcare in contrast to Australia which spends 9%. Australia is known to mix private and public healthcare to best serve its citizens, and it seems to be a system that works.

Britain has also proved to have shorter wait times and a lower rate of inaccessibility of healthcare services to citizens. The US has a wide mix of healthcare options, with state-sponsored insurance, such as Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act, but also a completely privatized hospital system. Another interesting country when it comes to healthcare and health access is Singapore. There is free, cheap state-sponsored care offered in hospitals to citizens, with private "upgraded" rooms and care also available to those willing to pay. Singapore citizens are required to have savings accounts and keep 37% of their savings in these accounts to assist in the coverage of these medical costs.

Although healthcare around the world varies and governments address the issue differently, it's apparent that it is a huge issue to all citizens of the world. And as the global community changes, so does its health system. You can choose to explore your health insurance options before committing to any which one, in fact, it is highly recommended that you do so in order to make an informed choice.