Israel is considered to have an excellent health care system (more about Israel's Health Care System here). With technologically advanced equipment, and a high doctor-to-patient ratio, the country prides itself on an efficient, cost-effective service.

According to a July 24, 2009 conference call between The Israel Project, an international non-profit organization, and two doctors from Jerusalem, Dr. Rafi Cayam indicates that Israel's health care system is predicated upon four factors:

• Universal coverage for all regardless of religion, race, citizenship, and income.
• "Cradle-to-grave" coverage. Many other countries only offer specific treatments based on age.
• Everyone receives both basic service and "catastrophic" health care. In other words, whether someone requires services from a general practitioner, a specialist, or something more devastating such as a transplanted organ, all procedures are covered. The specialist may require consumer participation payments, but the amount is considered so insignificant that it can hardly be deemed a burden on anyone.
• Medications are provided. Some medications require a fifteen percent consumer participation payment while others are completely free.

Further, health insurance companies, formally called Sick Funds, are governed by the Ministry of Health, a branch of the government. As a result, health insurance companies do not have the ability to pick and choose their clients. They are bound by the 1995 National Health Insurance Law which states that all residents must be members of one of the four Sick Funds, and in turn, the Sick Funds must accept anyone and everyone. They may not discriminate against age nor a previous medical condition. The government also decides what services must be provided and whether or not the Sick Fund should receive higher payments or simply fund the new services from their own coffers.

Another reason the Israeli model of health care is so efficient, the system is accessible. For life threatening diseases, wait times are very short, partly because of the number of doctors available. Patients may also seek a specialist of their own choosing without having their general doctor recommend someone. Since most hospitals are either owned by the government or one of the four Sick Funds, and doctors are salaried employees of one or the other, patient access is facilitated. The system is most importantly, based on need as opposed to income.

While Israel's health care system is generally referred to as free, there are nominal amounts for which residents are responsible. The Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that "a standardized basket of medical services, including hospitalization, will continue to be supplied... Sources for funding of health costs include progressive health insurance premiums paid by each resident, employers' health tax payments, National Insurance Institute funds, funds from the Ministry of Health budget and consumer participation payments".

Each person pays a percentage based on his or her income and whether or not he or she is self-employed, receiving old age payments, or retirement pensions. Further, the law stipulates that services may be increased but the basic basket may not be decreased. So everyone understands clearly to what he or she is entitled. And there is no fear that when the time comes, he or she will be denied basic medical treatment.