"Socialized Medicine" in the Healthcare Reform Debate

The term "socialized medicine" is being used in the healthcare reform debate to belittle proposals which increase the government's role in medicine and healthcare financing. However, according to National Public Radio, experts believe that the term is virtually meaningless. Historically, the American Medical Associated used "socialized medicine" to describe both increasing government intrusion into medical practice, as well as managed care organizations like HMOs. Today, "socialized medicine" can be used to describe a healthcare system which is completely administered by the government, where doctors are employees of the state. For example, England could be accurately described as having a socialized healthcare system.

However, none of the front-runners for the 2008 Presidential election have proposed socialized medicine as a means of providing healthcare for all. In fact, the only candidate who has proposed anything resembling a socialized healthcare system is Dennis Kucinich.