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single-payer

American  
[sing-guhl-pey-er] / ˈsɪŋ gəlˈpeɪ ər /

adjective

  1. noting or relating to a healthcare or health insurance system in which the government or a publicly owned and regulated agency pays all medical costs from a single fund.


Etymology

Origin of single-payer

First recorded in 1985–90

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Allen introduced a bill to provide low-interest loans to help pay for the improvements, Wolff advocates tax credits and Kim says her single-payer disaster plan would invest in such measures.

From Los Angeles Times May 1, 2026

Irony alert: Dr. Prasad is a fan of single-payer healthcare.

From The Wall Street Journal Feb. 11, 2026

Her campaign told the BBC that, as president, she would not push for a single-payer system.

From BBC Aug. 17, 2024

They include the proposal on “closing the health coverage gaps” by adopting a “comprehensive universal single-payer health care coverage and health care cost control system for the benefit of all African Americans in California.”

From Washington Times Jul. 11, 2023

In her case, though, her experience has turned her into an advocate for a single-payer system.

From Salon Mar. 5, 2022

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