Social security and comprehensive health care financing were developed to protect all citizens and to redistribute money to cover costs.

Their inspiration was social solidarity rather than pecuniary self-interest.

The United States differed from other countries by continuing a private market in health, with many self-centred and competing provider and insurers; and its prevailing school of health economics deplored the national health insurance and national health services that were universal in other countries and recommended devices that would eliminate « market failure » in health.