Comparing The Canadian And The United States 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

Canada implemented their health insurance, also known as Medicare, in 1966. Medicare is made up of 13 health insurance plans. The majority of the financing comes from the general tax revenues and the federal government provides a fixed amount that is not a part of the actual expenditure. The total health care expenditure is made up of 70% health in the public sector.

Health care is an essential service needed by citizens. As a result, the government plays an important role by designing an appropriate health care system for its citizens. In this paper, a comparison between the health care system in the U.S. and Canada has been made. Using various literary sources, the comparison has been done considering the four components of health care services delivery; financing, insurance, delivery, and payment. The findings indicate that the health care system in the U.S. is expensive but more efficient than the single-payer health care system in Canada.

Canada’s healthcare system started in 1946 and is made up of a group of socialized health insurance plans that provides coverage to all Canadian citizens. It is publicly funded and administered on a provincial or territorial basis with in the rules set by their federal government. Since the late 1960’s Canada essential has had a universal health insurance system covering all services provided by physicians and hospitals. In 1966 Lester B Pearson’s government subsequently expanded a policy of the universal healthcare with the medical care act. Canada’s healthcare system is the subject of political controversy and debate in the country. While healthcare in America began in the late 1800’s but was truly born in 1929 when Justin Kimball

The Canada Healthcare act [R.S. 1985, c. C-6] passed in 1984. It ensures that all residents of Canada have an equal access to necessary physician services, no extra billing from physicians and hospital. The act is on five main principles, Public administration necessary services are to offer on a non-profit basis. Next, accessibility coverage with no extra charges and comprehensiveness coverage for all medically necessary services at all times. Portability coverage is to extend to all residents in all provinces and territories. The fifth principle is universality coverage for all eligible residents of all provinces and territories (SEDAP, 2007).

Neighboring countries, United States and Canada have close ties to one another, share the same language and have many of the same fundamental and religious beliefs. It is an interesting debt as to which provides a superior healthcare system. In order to better understand the strengths and weakness of the two systems, this paper will review four important structural and functional elements of each system.

Canada’s health care system “can be described as a publicly-funded, privately-provided, universal, comprehensive, affordable, single-payer, provincially administered national health care system” (Bernard, 1992, p.103). Health care in Canada is provincial responsibility, with the Canada Health act being a federal legislation (Bernard, 1992, p. 102). Federal budget cuts, has caused various problems within Medicare such as increased waiting times and lack of new technology. Another problem with Medicare is that The Canada Heath Act does not cover expenditures for prescriptions drugs. All these issue has caused individuals to suggest making Medicare privatized. Although, Canada’s health care system consists of shortcomings, our universal

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

Two very similar countries, the United States and Canada, with similar cultures are located right next to each other. They are both high income nations and are fairly well off. One of the main differences between these two countries are their systems of paying for healthcare. Canada has a single-payer system that is mainly funded by the government and also the taxes of those who live there. The United States has a multi-payer system where insurance is purchased by an individual or given to them by their employer. It is a highly privatized industry and plays into America’s deeply capitalistic society. This capitalism is the root cause of the differences between the two countries.

Being proud of their health care system, Canadian health care system is funded by government. The availability of universal health care is a significant contributor to Canada’s name throughout the world. This health care system is built around the principle that all the citizens will receive hospital and physician services that are necessary. Not only this but each of Canada’s 10 provinces and three territories runs and finances a statewide health insurance program. Canadians are guaranteed access to physician services and hospital and it is up to the province to decide whether they want to cover supplementary benefits such as drug and dental coverage, etc. These supplemental insurance policies are covered by

When a Canadian citizen goes to the hospital to seek medical attention, there is no question about being able to pay or if the patient has insurance. Rather, if the patient needs care, it is provided. The healthcare system in Canada consists of universal coverage for medically necessary health care services (Health Canada, 2012b). For this to run effectively, the system is maintained by both the federal and provincial government to ensure that all Canadians are receiving the same standard of care.

The Canadian health system is financed by the government and is based on five principles: it is accessible to all regardless of income, full-service, is public management, is of universal access to citizens and permanent residents, and applied within and abroad.

Canada’s national health insurance program (NHI) was set up under the Medical Care Act of 1966 and is referred to as Medicare. The Canadian system covers residents through public funding with spending decisions made at thirteen province levels. (Health Canada 2014) Services covered include all medically necessary and hospital physician services however each province has the option of whether to cover supplementary coverage for services such as prescription drug coverage, vision care, dental care, home care, aids to independent living, and ambulance services. To bridge this gap, about two-thirds of Canadians carry private insurance. (Watson 2009) The Canadian government has insurance programs for First Nations and Inuit. (Health Canada 2006)

In Canada, the administration of health care system is the responsibility of the public agency which is responsible to provincial government and operates on non-profit basis. In Canada satisfaction, quality and access of health care is relatively higher compared to United States. Also, Health care spending is well controlled relatively compared to that of United States (Storch, 2005). In conclusion, Canada health care system has more advantages compared to that of United States.

Health care in Canada is delivered through a publicly funded health care system called Medicare, which is a universal coverage, single payer plan for all Canadians and legal residents. This health insurance pays up to 70% of all medicals costs excluding dental, eye care and medications, which is covered by private sectors. The current health care policy is guided by the provisions of the Canada Health Act 1984. Approximately 99% of physicians’ service costs and 90% of hospital care are covered by publicly funded program. Historically, Canada’s health system was dated back to 1867 when the British North American Act was passed, which gave federal government the responsibility to take care of marine hospitals and quarantine. As for the provinces, its responsibility is to manage the local hospitals, asylums, charities and other charitable organizations. To compare with the United States of America, the American government does not have a single payer program, which results in a somewhat less efficient healthcare system. Health care facilities are largely owned and operated by private sector businesses. 58% of US community hospitals are non-profit, 21% are government owned, and 21% are for-profit.