Final answer:
To have universal health insurance, a country needs a system that provides at least basic health insurance for all, such as government-controlled systems or mandates that require all citizens to purchase insurance. The U.S. Affordable Care Act aimed to increase coverage by requiring insurance purchase and preventing denials based on preexisting conditions. Challenges include balancing health care quality, access, and cost.
Step-by-step explanation:
The minimal requirements for a country to have universal health insurance generally include a system that is either government-controlled or a mandate that all citizens participate in the health insurance market. In the United States, approaches like the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act have aimed at achieving broader insurance coverage by requiring all Americans to purchase health insurance and prohibiting providers from denying coverage based on preexisting conditions. This contrasts with the employer mandate model, which requires larger employers to offer health insurance to employees. Implementing universal health insurance also involves overcoming challenges related to balancing quality, access, and cost of healthcare.