What would a socialist health care system look like? A sketch

In this paper I argue that, since institutions must reflect the societies in which they are placed, a socialist health-care system cannot be understood unless democratic socialism-which would assure all of basic necessities of existence, full education and health-care to all members of the community-is not incompatible with a flourishing market for other products. In contrasting single with multiple tiered health care systems, I suggest that a single tiered system in which all have equal access to health care and none can buy more, is most consistent with the ideals of democratic socialism. (C) 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.