Health CareIn Canada and The United States

Some Basic Statistics...United States

46.3 Million UninsuredThat is 45 000 Deaths Due to Lack of Insurance

In 2008 There Were:•123.8 Million ER Visits• 42.4 Were Injury Related• Only 18% of These Were Seen Within 15 min

This illustrates the importance of health care and adequate health

care insurance in countries like the United States as quite a large

majority of the population make visits to the hospital.

The United States health care system is ranked 37th by The WHOWeird, considering they are one of the most powerful nations in the world.

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Some Basic Statistics...Canada

Compared to 45 % in the states and only if you qualify

for the program.Canadian program is still not as good as in the U.K. which pays for 82% of citizens health fees.

Canadians also live on average 4 years longer

85% have a doctor who they can afford to regularly see

All Canadian citizens and permanent residents have access to universal

health care insurance

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Advantages Disadvantages

Health care is virtually costless

Longer wait times if you are not a

priority patientBring about equality

in societyDental and eye care

is not coveredRelieves families of

financial worries Larger taxes

Brings about a general well being

in society

Harder for immigrant doctors (must meet federal

standard)Health Care is given to those who need it

most firstFederal government

should help fund medicare

Doctors get paid less then in states

Possible Solutions:Two Tired Health Care Like In Alberta:•Although reducing wait times essential services will eventually become services you can only receive at expensive private practices• destroys the equality we try to have in our society• System might soon become the corrupt private system in the states as it would put more money in the pockets of private insurance firms• Goes against Canadian idealsFunding From Federal Government:• Will provide more money to expand hospital and provide more doctors• However money would have to be taken from other sectors (military)•Many provinces are pushing for the federal government to help out

Advantages Disadvantages

Great health care for those who can

afford itNone of these

benefits if you don’t have enough money

Doctors are well paid and there are

plenty of them

People become bankrupt receiving essential surgery

Short wait time if you have the money

A lot of insurance companies have

inadequate coverage

Health care isn’t paid for through

taxes (lower taxes)

Insurance companies reject a

lot of claims customers are

seemingly covered for (capitalism)Many

are corruptHelps further divide

the rich from the poor

Possible SolutionsMedicare Like In Canada (Attempted by Obama):• Would help reduce poverty in the states • Americans would no longer have to declare bankruptcy because they got an MRI•Would straighten out the corrupt insurance companies• Although it would solve a lot of the disadvantages a lot of powerful people have a lot invested in this system•Conservative ideas mixed with political lobbyists would not let this happenGovernment Regulated Health Care:• Government so far has not made a stand in the corruption of the health care system (thanks to lobbyists)• Intervention would help set laws and standards on the basic health care people should be provided and on services insurance companies should provide• This would also regulate prices so that everyone can be able to afford crucial insurance• Regulation would make sure peopel are not cheated out of their money by not receiving promised health coverage

Questions•How do you think the Canadian system could be improved?

•Would two tier health care be a positive or negative change?

•How do you think the American system could be improved?

•Why do you believe these systems are not as advanced as those in European countries?

•What in your opinion is the best system?