What is the difference between "universal health care" and "single-payer systems"?

Universal health care refers to a system where all individuals have access to necessary health services without financial hardship. This concept emphasizes the principle that every person, regardless of income, should have access to health care services, thus promoting equity in health care access.

In contrast, single-payer systems specifically describe a structure where a single public or quasi-public agency handles health care financing, covering all residents for all medically necessary services. While a single-payer system can be one way to achieve universal health care, the two are not synonymous.

The correct choice emphasizes that universal health care is focused on ensuring that all individuals can access health services. This idea encompasses a broader mandate than just the financing aspect, which is what single-payer systems primarily address.

Other choices address concepts that either misrepresent elements of universal health care or single-payer system structures, highlighting aspects that don't align with the fundamental principles of either.