The health insurance system in the US uses not-for-profit and and private health insurance as the main source of covering medical expenditures. The United States Census Bureau states that up to  84% of US citizens posses health insurance policies; from which 60% get it with the help of  employer, and approximately 9% buy it directly from agents or insurance companies. Special government institutions and agencies provide health insurance coverage to more than 27% of US citizens.

Public health insurance programs like Medicare and Medicaid provide insurance coverage for families with low levels of income, senior citizens, and individuals with serious health problems. These programs are funded by both federal government and state administration, but are administered by state officials. The SCHIP program is also funded by the government and provides insurance coverage to a certain group of children and families that do not comply with Medicaid requirements but still can't afford private health insurance. There are other public health insurance coverage programs like TRICARE, Veterans Health Administration and Indian Health Service, providing services to different groups of population. There may be some additional local programs funded by state governments.

In 2006, 16% of the US population (about 47 million citizens) didn't have health insurance coverage. 37% of these citizens come from households with over $50,000 of income.

Health insurance companies have directly employed about 470,000 people in 2004, providing an average salary of $61,409 (which was almost as double as the nation-wide median for that period).  Besides, the industry has a very strong lobbying power with considerable financial contributions to members of Congress. Insurance companies ranked 8th amongst the industries that have provided financial contributions for the 2007-2008 election run.