Hi! I'm Georgiana, your English teacher. Thanks for joining me for a new Speak English Now podcast episode.

Okay, let's start!

Are you curious about how the healthcare system works in the U.S.? In this episode,

I will explain the basics of the American healthcare system.

There is not one universal system but a range of public and private insurance options. I will lay out how these plans work so that you can gain a better understanding.

And yes. Contrary to what some people assume, public health care exists in the USA. There are several public systems, both federal and state.

All Americans must have health insurance or face a federal offense. Therefore, everyone should be properly insured.

If someone is unemployed, they may be eligible for federal or state public insurance programs to help them access the necessary health care services.

Let’s find out more about public health in the U.S.

In 1965, the federal government created Medicare and Medicaid, which provided health coverage to the elders and the poorest segments of the population.

What are Medicare and Medicaid?

Medicare is a federal health insurance program primarily available to people 65 or older, certain younger people with disabilities, or people with End-Stage Renal Disease.

Medicaid offers health insurance to countless Americans, such as eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, senior citizens, and people with disabilities. States must follow federal rules while running the program, which is funded by both state and federal money.

Another program, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), is a federal-state partnership program administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Children's Health Insurance Program provides health insurance coverage to low-income children and pregnant women who do not qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford private health insurance.

I hope you found this episode interesting. In the next one, I will continue talking about the healthcare in the U.S.

Now, let’s practice.