* Our e-country offers universal access to health care for the entire population regardless of financial circumstances.  All residents are entitled to publicly financed health care. Undocumented immigrants under 18 years have the same right to subsidized health care as asylum-seeking children and children who are permanent residents. Undocumented adults have the right to receive non-subsidized.

* The country provides equity in health care to all residents, including urban and rural communities. The principle of our health care system is that there should be “equal access” to social and health services.

*It has established the fundamental human right of all citizens to obtain adequate and equitable health care.  The patient’s need determines access to medical care, not their ability to pay.  All residents are entitled to use the services at subsidized prices, which are set by each county council.

*Our health care policies emphasize preventative health, not just traditional medicine.  We should have public education campaigns that are channeled throughout the schools. 

*The healthcare system also allows freedom for patients to choose where and by whom they wish to be given medical attention.  Patients are able to choose the health centre and/or family doctor. This method promotes patient autonomy and encourages them to be responsible for their own health.

* The health care system could be managed at different levels, the most important and powerful of which is the county council. If the country is divided into different geographical areas, the elected county councils are responsible for each area.  Councils are responsible for providing health services and striving to meet the health needs of their respective populations. They plan the services that are to be offered, such as hospitals, as well as allocating funds to provide these services.  This makes for health delivery at the local level, unique to each region.  It is a very organized structure with each county being managed differently to best meet the health needs of the people that it serves.

*What is covered?Services: The publicly financed health system covers:

public health and preventive services, inpatient and outpatient hospital care, primary health care, inpatient and outpatient prescription drugs, mental health care, dental care for children and young people, rehabilitation services, disability support services, patient transport support services, home care, and long-term and nursing home care. The benefit package for prescription drugs and dental care is determined by a national authority and is the same throughout the country. Priorities related to all other services are determined at the decentralized level by local authorities.

*Cost-sharing: Cost-sharing arrangements exist for most publicly financed services. Patients pay a symbolic tax per visit to a primary care doctor, to a specialist or to access emergency care and a small amount per day in a hospital. Children are exempt from cost-sharing for health services. Limited subsidies are available for adult dental care.

How is the health system financed? The publicly financed system: Public funding for health

care mainly comes from central and local taxation. County councils and municipalities have the right to levy proportional income taxes on their residents. The central government provides funding for prescription drug subsidies. It also provides financial support to county councils and municipalities through grants allocated using a capitation formula that takes into account average income level, demographic characteristics, and geographical conditions across local authorities. One-off central government grants focus on specific problem areas such as waiting times and geographical inequalities in access to health care, but have also supported the development of primary care, psychiatric care, and care of older people generally. The county councils provide funding for mental health care, primary care, and specialist services in hospitals.