4/4/17

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Introduction:
The health care system is crucial for every country, and every nation adopts different models of health care based on their economic, social, and development status. In this assignment, I have chosen Canada as a developed country to discuss its model of health care and compare it with that of the United States.

Canada’s Model of Health Care:
Canada has a universal and publicly funded health care system that provides comprehensive coverage for physician and hospital services to all Canadian residents. The Canada Health Act (CHA) is a federal legislation that outlines the rights and responsibilities of citizens for accessing health care services. It guides the provinces and territories to deliver universal, comprehensive, accessible, and portable healthcare services to their residents. Residents do not pay out-of-pocket for medically necessary hospital and physician services. Moreover, there are no deductibles or co-payments for covered services, providing a more affordable healthcare system for Canadians (Health Canada, 2021).

Compared to the United States:
The US health care system is different from that of Canada and is predominantly based on private health insurance coverage. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) (ObamaCare) has expanded coverage for Americans, but still, millions of people in the US do not have health insurance. The insurance coverage under the ACA is not universal, and people can choose their plans based on their medical needs and financial capacity. Moreover, the out-of-pocket expenses, including deductible and co-payments, are relatively higher in the US than in Canada (Garrett et al., 2019).

Strengths of Canada’s Health Care Model:
The universal healthcare system in Canada ensures that everyone has access to healthcare services, irrespective of their economic status. Canadians do not have to pay out-of-pocket for medically necessary services covered by the public health care system, making it more affordable as compared to the US. Moreover, the care coordination under the Canadian system is relatively more efficient than in the US healthcare system, leading to better health outcomes for Canadians (Morgan et al., 2018).

Weaknesses of Canada’s Health Care Model:
The Canadian healthcare system has some weaknesses, including long wait times for elective surgeries and specialist consultations. The scarcity of healthcare providers and resources in Canada has also contributed to prolonged wait times and has resulted in significant deficits in primary care services (Canadian Institute for Health Information, 2021).

Conclusion:
In conclusion, Canada’s publicly funded and universal health care system is different from the United States’ model. Canada’s model of healthcare coverage is more comprehensive and provides universal healthcare services to all its residents. However, Canada’s health care system is not without flaws and needs continued improvement, especially in addressing long wait times and resource deficits. Overall, Canada’s publicly funded and universal health care system provides a more affordable and efficient healthcare system in comparison to what is offered in the US.

References:
Canadian Institute for Health Information. (2021). Health care in Canada, 2019: A focus on wait times. Retrieved from https://www.cihi.ca/sites/default/files/document/health-care-in-canada-2019-report-en.pdf

Garrett, B., Decristofaro, C., & Brown, J. (2019). The Affordable Care Act: Impacts of Insurance Coverage and Implications for Health System Reform. The Journal of Ambulatory Care Management, 42(1), 14-25.

Health Canada. (2021). Canada’s health care system. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/canada-health-care-system.html

Morgan, S. G., Vu, L., & Lertpitakpong, C. (2018). Improving the equity of health care delivery in Canada. Healthcare Management Forum, 31(6), 221-227.