The Canada Health Act And The Medical Care Act

Taking into account the definition of health by World Health Organization and the declaration of Canadian Health Act., I believe that in Ontario the law, as such, meets the legal framework required for the provision of health care services; however, in reality the health care system lacks enough resources to meet the needs of patients/residents at 100%. Unfortunately, the system has flaws that, day by day, unleash troubles increasing the unconformity of patients and putting their health and indeed the welfare of the society at risk. Some of the problems that I have found are: too few physicians and other health professionals, insufficient diagnostic equipments, few facilities, medicines are not covered by the Canadian Health Act, too long waiting

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 lack of flexibility within government, however, as Armstrong articulates that “opposition now comes not only from the big provinces but also from forces such as doctors’ organizations […] those seeking for profit” (Armstrong, p153). Governments’ are influenced from behind the scenes in the form of private investment and wealthy investors such as lobbyists. I do believe that if the government becomes more flexible, it would under these conditions - eliminate public funding across the board and implement a free market due to the persuasion of partisan funding. With the electoral system Canadians have in place, bipartisan voting and four or five-year electoral schedule, it differs political parties from imposing such changes, as they are confined to public opinions (Malcolmson, p227). In comparison, Armstrong defines our ‘rigidity’ as praise for resistance of private corporations and lobbyists, avoiding “pressuring individual legislators” (Armstrong, p21). The for-profit industry is heavily funded, therefore, can offer significantly more public persuasion. Furthermore, as discussed by our guest lecturer, we are geographically linked to the largest for-profit regime on the globe – our television is directly influenced by American advertisements, enticing our population to believing that we are restrained in choice of care by our government.

In this paper, there will be a comparative analysis to the United States (U.S.) healthcare system and Canadians healthcare system highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of both.

     In the past, Canada’s government-funded, universally accessible, health care system has been praised and admired both at home and abroad as one of the finest in the world. A great source of pride and comfort for many Canadians is that it is based on five fundamental principles. Principles that are a reflection of the values held by Canadian citizens since the formation of Medicare in 1966. These principles were reinforced in the Canada Health Act, (CHA), of 1984 and state that the Canadian system is universal, accessible, portable, comprehensive and non-profit.

The Canadian health care system has many flaws and issues because of the many systems within it. Canada has fifteen different health care systems, these fifteen include thirteen provincial/territorial systems, a system for Aboriginals, and a system for veterans. Coincidentally because there is so many systems doctors work hours, location, and fees are different across the country. Many doctors charge extra fees for services such as pill refills and Pick the hours they work. Not only are things different with doctors from province to province but so are the services covered. The coverage of services such as eye, dental, and abortion services are not the same everywhere (O'Grady, Kathleen and Noralou, Roos). Issues with coverage and doctors are

This paper will discuss the prevailing Canadian debate of whether the federal government should have greater authority on administering health care. Essentially, Canada’s health care program referred to as Medicare, is administered by the provinces while regulated by the federal government through the Canada Health Act of 1984. One side of the debate, using the political theory of pluralism, argues against federal leadership and instead emphasizes for provincial authority on matters of health care since Canada is inherently composed of individuals with differing interests and values. Through a decentralized framework, each province will be able to implement efficient health services that will meet the demands of its citizens. Their

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

Canada’s health care policy was designed to give all residents equal right and access to health care professionals. Although health care is available to all Canadian citizens, it publicly funded, not free. The provinces have separate health care plans but they all share common characteristics which were decided in the Canada Health Act. The Canada Health Act of 1984 was an amalgamation of two previous acts with an addition to give all Canadians access to health services; however, recently Canada’s health care policy has been challenged. It has been argued that there is confusion in the meaning of accessibility (Wilson & Rosenberg, 2004) and that Canada’s health care policy does not address the need for competent patient care (Liberman,

Canada’s health care system is one that formed in the 1950s and 60s, also known as Medicare. It is a system that Canada as a nation often takes pride in, as it is predominantly public with basic health care is available to all citizens, and has some aspects of the private system incorporated as well. Health care often occurs in terms that compare public versus private health care systems. After a thorough analysis of private health care associated with neo-conservatism, and public health care associated with welfare state liberalism, I assert that the more beneficial option for Canada would be public health care. Public health care is very accessible, and universal, therefore allowing the individual to have access to health care nation-wide. As well, it is significantly more affordable than private health care when concerning the average Canadian citizen. Although, it can be argued that private healthcare is a better option for Canada because it would improve the quality of health care, offering quicker access it, and it reduces the amount of stress put on the upper class in paying for public health care. However, privatization acts as a barrier to providing universal and quality health care on an equitable basis.

Many know that Canada has a universal health, but they don’t fully understand the aspects of their health care system and how it works for them. Canada’s health care system is based around the Canada Health Act and aims to provide care for all medical necessary health services. With it being a universal health system it allow all citizens access to health care and that also means that it is publicly funded system. There has been many challenges that Canada has faces with the universal health system, but are continuing to find ways to improve their system for their citizens. As with any other countries health system there are pros and cons. Canada has found a system that work for them and they citizen and are continuing to ensure that their

Maintaining the health of the nation is one of the priorities of societies throughout the world. Canada 's health care system is an essential value for Canadians because it provides them equal rights when getting access to government-funded medical care. However, the system is a subject to severe criticism. A variety of factors, such as technological development, an aging population, and economic climate are a heavy burden on the health care budget. This, in turn, leads to limitation of certain types of medical care and its availability, for instance, the lengthening of waiting time for some kinds examinations and treatments. On the other hand, there is a category of the population that is willing to pay for these services, but the present legislation does not allow for the opening of private clinics. Another matter is that privatization will cause inequalities in the health system. Thus, it is vital to explore the effectiveness of partial health care privatization as the solution for some existing problems throughout the prism of Canadian values, possible health outcomes, and improving of the health care quality.

The foundation of Canada’s universal health care system was laid during the Great Depression, when national health insurance was initially proposed; it was refined when bills were passed during World War II to implement national insurance and finally found fruition when Saskatchewan first covered health care expenses for its entire population in 1947 (LeBien, 1996). This recognition that the social need for health care services and coverage was more important than any potential profits that could be made from providing such services led to the Federal government to begin work on a national plan (Armstrong, et al., 2000, p. 12). By 1961, the entire country had comprehensive insurance that covered all essential medical services. The Canada Health Act was enacted in 1984, and all of Canada was mandated to provide medical coverage based on universality, portability between provinces, comprehensive coverage, public administration and accessibility (Joudrey & Robson, 2010, p. 530). Canada did not assume full control of costs for providing the implemented coverage; rather they provided 50% funding, thus matching provincial costs (LeBien, 1996). Concerns around rising medical costs due to an aging population in the late 1980’s, led the government to commission a policy review by two economists, Drs. Barer and Stoddart (Beck & Thompson, 2006). The Barer-Stoddart report stated that“…provinces should review

Canada 's healthcare system known as Medicare, began in 1950s and 1960s. It was built solely on the five principles which are accessibility, universality, comprehensiveness, public administration and portability. Medicare was the one aspect that Canadians enjoyed and took advantage of because of the public funding system. Nations around the globe likewise observed and respected Canada 's medicinal services framework too, which makes Canadians proud of what they have. Fast forwarding to

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