A Free And Equal Health Care System

The comparison between health care in the United States and health care in Canada has been a continuing debate. America does not have a universal health coverage plan for it's population, while Canadians are privileged to have universal health coverage. Normally a patient will pay twice as much for health coverage in the United States compared to treatment in Canada. This puts the US in first position of having the most expensive health care system on earth. (http://www.yesmagazine.org/issues/health-care-for-all/has-canada-got-the-cure) Most of the population in the United States have no health coverage at all. Compared to Canada, the wait time for elective procedures in the United States is somewhat longer. Many Americans feel the

When asked to describe what makes Canada unique compared to other countries, many outsiders might yell out “Hockey!” “Cold Weather!” or “Free Health Care!.” Health care is definitely one of Canada’s most noticeable trademarks when compared to the United States, but the reality is that our health care services are not what they are made out to be. Canadians tend to take pride in the fact that they have a Government funded health care system, but the system is failing at a rapid pace. One can gage the quality of health care in our country while at the emergency ward in any hospital, where most Canadians realize its downsides. The Government spends most of its budget towards health care but Canadians are not feeling an improvement. Waiting

Canada 's healthcare system is praised globally for its universal and free healthcare. It started to take shape after World War II in 1945. Health insurance was introduced and was attempted, but was not successful even though there was an increase in the spending of health related services and goods. Fast forward a few years to 1961 where Tommy Douglas, the premier of Saskatchewan, developed the idea for an all-inclusive insurance plan. He later inspired the Medical Care Act in Canada in 1967, when he pointed out health care is a right for all Canadians. From this one thought, Canada has become of the many countries with a universal health care system. Ever since Tommy Douglas sparked the idea for health care coverage, Canada is praised for the way it carries out its system because of several key features. This system is publically funded, is universal and is accessible to everyone across the nation. Because this is a public system, funding comes from the tax payers and some federal funding, so there is no extra cost for the patients. Also, being a universal system it has offered care to all Canadians, immigrants and visitors. Unlike the U.S who does not provide healthcare to its entire population because it is a private system; access depends on how much someone could afford, and how

A person’s health behavior has an effect not only on themselves, but also to a community due to the possibility of a risky behaviors. Genetics are a health disparity when in reference to the genes a person may inherit which can cause certain diagnosis and diseases. Social circumstances can increase a person genetic and health behavior to cause more health disparities that could have possibly been avoided. Lack of income and affordable health care also cause health disparities in reference to not being to afford annual doctors visit as well as a routine dentist

Many are benighted to the fact that health is rooted in a classist, race ingrained, education entrenched hierarchy. The higher you are on the socio-economic pyramid the greater the guarantee of safe housing, sufficient food, and access to quality care. High income and social status is correlated to better health outcomes because regardless of age and sex, low-income citizens are susceptible to lower life expectancy and more illnesses. This is further heightened by one 's race/ethnicity. The degree of control a person has over their way of life is based on stressors that these two factors (income and class) produce. Education goes hand in hand with socioeconomic status as education supposedly facilitates the likelihood of employment and consequently establishes a class paradigm. Outside of that, when people are knowledgeable and are equipped with problem solving skills they are privileged with a sense of autonomy over life circumstances. Education is a gateway for better access to healthcare and information on healthy living. Stressful occupations, underemployment, and unemployment are linked with poor health because a person 's job, or lack thereof, has domineering influences on their physical, mental, and social wellness. Employment provides financial stability, outlets for personal growth, opportunities for social contact etc. thus when that is generally nonexistent, or is taken away from a person, physiological and emotional safety is compromised. Then there is

Evidence show that people from lower class backgrounds and ethnic minority’s backgrounds are more likely to suffer more health problems to the majority ethnic group this shows a pattern of inequality.

Canada has always taken great pride in its health care system. Publicly funded, Medicare has helped many, but has also aided in masking one of this country’s largest growing problems. Income inequality is highly prevalent throughout Canada, affecting the health of its citizens, and over-burdening its health care system. The growing gap between incomes is largely in part to the economic neoliberalism taking place within Canada. The stress placed on lower and middle income families through various social determents of health is taking its toll on society and its individuals. The oppressed state of undermined

As humans, the right to medical care is something that should be seen as a privilege. No one should have to worry about if they are able to receive the healthcare that they require. Everyone has the right to receive the care that they should need. The only way to provide equal care for everyone in America is if healthcare were to be free. Though many countries around the world are able to provide free healthcare, this is something that is unfortunately not possible for all countries. There would be many issues that would arise if free healthcare were provided here in America. Due to the fact that quality care would be difficult to find, taxes would be increased, and much more, health care should not be free.

Health disparities are considered to be differences dealing with health care, which is closely linked with society economic and/or environmental disadvantages. The disadvantage could be caused by race, gender, age or socioeconomic status. Health disparities can be affect certain people in different ways which will cause greater obstacles based on their race or ethics group or religion.

The major difference in the healthcare delivery between Canada and the United States is Canada operates under a single payer system verses the U.S. private multi-payer system (O 'Neill & O 'Neill, 2007). In many countries, medical care is usually delivered and or financed by government funding. Unlike the United States, where most of the population pays and receives medical care through private sectors (Bodenheimer and Grumbach, 2012). In the1960’s the Canadian federal government passed the universal health insurance plan, which became fully operational by 1971. Canada’s universal health care system is fully funded by the federal and area government, where hospitals, physicians, and supplementary services are provided “free”, there are no out of pocket charges (deductibles, copayment, or premiums) to patients (O 'Neill & O 'Neill, 2007). Presently, approximately one-third of the area health expenses are funded by the federal government, provincial taxes (varies in province) cover the remainder. Legal Canadians regardless of their wealth, job or retirement status, and age (under 18 or over 65) everyone is qualified and receives equal health care coverage. Of course there are few services and persons excluded or limited under the universal health care in Canada, these include illegal immigrants and refugees (denied), dental, optical, prescription drugs, home health care, chiropractic and ambulance, services private rooms or additional nursing services if admitted

The main differences that I believe that exists between the American and the Canadian healthcare and public healthcare system, is the access and quality of the medical services rendered to its citizens. The American healthcare system is comprised of private insurers, as well as public insurers that rely heavily on the federal or state government for financial support. Many Americans receive their private healthcare coverage through their employer, while others receive healthcare via public programs Medicaid, Medicare, or they remain uninsured. The United States spends more per capita on medical services and devotes a larger percentage of its GDP to medical care than any other country. What’s more apparent about the American healthcare system is that the life expectancy rate isn’t reflective of how much money the country invests in healthcare. Rather than rationing out medical services, America allocates its services based on a citizens’ ability to pay. Citizens who can afford better medical services are most likely to receive higher quality of care in comparison to individuals who cannot. Citizens who rely on health insurance from the government

Social determinants of health are social, economic and physical factors that affect the health of individuals in any given population. There are fourteen social determinants of health but Income is perhaps the most important of these because it shapes living conditions, influences health related behaviors, and determines food security. In Canada, people with lower incomes are more susceptible to disease/ conditions, higher mortality rate, decreased life expectancy and poorer perceived health than people with high incomes. In numerous Canadian studies and reports, there has been more emphasis on health being based on an individual’s characteristics, choices and behaviours, rather than the role that income plays as a social determinant of health. Although Canada has one of the highest income economies in the world and is comprised of a free health care system, many low income families are a burden on the system because of the physical and mental health issues influenced by income insecurity. Low income individuals are heavier users of health care services because they have lower levels of health and more health problems than do people with higher incomes. This essay will address income as a social determinant of health in three key sections: what is known on the issue, why the issue is important and how can health and public policies address the issue. The main theme that runs through the essay is the income related health inequalities among low income groups compared to

The higher the socioeconomic status an individual is equivalent to the goal of reaching the goal of excellent health, whereas, those who are at the bottom of the socioeconomic status ladder are more likely to have poorer health. The article on Social Determinants of Health status states that “socioeconomic status has been a fundamental cause of disease, and poverty and therefore, has a powerful effect on health.” People who cannot afford nutritious food are more than likely to buy more processed or cheap junk food.  An excerpt of an autobiography Hillbilly Elegy explains this predicament as the author watched people buy groceries as a cashier, “Some folks purchased a lot of canned and frozen food, while others consistently arrived at the checkout

Because the child is from the inner-city, she may not have had equal access to quality healthcare and adequate resources for deaf children, which has hindered her from learning official sign language. In the USA, many children that are deaf do not receive “equal access to care, intervention, and follow-up services” (Sacks et al., 2014, p. 92). Socioeconomic, minority status and non-English native language are barriers to children having access to various types of services and health care that produce favorable developmental outcomes (Sacks et al., 2014).

The aim of this essay is to examine the influence that socio-economic status has on an individual’s health.