Canada has a universal single-payer healthcare system where basic medical services are publicly funded. The system began developing in the early 20th century through programs focused on public health initiatives and government-run hospitals. By the 1960s, all Canadian provinces had agreed to establish universal health insurance plans. Key milestones included Saskatchewan introducing universal coverage in 1946 and the passage of the Canada Health Act in 1984 which prohibited private billing and user fees. Today, the system is described as an interlocking set of provincial and territorial health insurance plans known as "Medicare" that provides universal access to medically necessary hospital and physician services.