Health and Human Behavior

Discussion - Universal Health Care in America? Some people support the idea of universal healthcare in America where the government would be at the center of the medical system. It would be responsible for both providing direct services, and paying for people to receive care. Others, of course, oppose this idea and object to the heavy involvement of the federal government in matters of health. For this week's discussion, let's examine the advantages and disadvantages of a universal healthcare system by looking at how healthcare is delivered in other nations.   -After conducting an Internet search, identify one (1) country where the government pays for and delivers medical care to its citizens. -Briefly, explain how healthcare is delivered in the country you selected. Consider questions like, how do people obtain coverage? What services can they receive? Are all services covered, or are there certain out-of-pocket expenses? Are people free to see any doctor they want when they want, or are they restricted in some way? How much does the government spend on healthcare? What about quality--are the services rendered considered good? -Compared to the healthcare system of the United States, how does healthcare in the country you selected measure up? It is better, worse, or about the same? -Should the U.S. consider adopting such a system? Explain why or why not.

Sample Solution

     

Country Selected: Canada

How Healthcare is Delivered in Canada

Canada has a universal healthcare system, which means that all Canadian residents are eligible for coverage. The government is responsible for paying for the majority of healthcare costs, and Canadians do not have to pay any premiums or deductibles for medically necessary services.

Full Answer Section

      To obtain coverage, Canadians simply need to register with their provincial or territorial health insurance plan. Once registered, they will receive a health insurance card that they can use to access medical services. Canadians can receive a wide range of healthcare services under the universal healthcare system, including:
  • Physician visits
  • Hospital stays
  • Prescription drugs
  • Diagnostic tests
  • Surgery
  • Preventive care
Not all services are covered under the universal healthcare system, however. For example, Canadians may have to pay out-of-pocket for services such as:
  • Dental care
  • Vision care
  • Cosmetic surgery
  • Non-essential prescription drugs
Canadians are not restricted in their choice of doctor. They can see any doctor they want, regardless of where the doctor is located. However, there may be wait times for some services, such as elective surgery. The Canadian government spends approximately 10% of its GDP on healthcare. This is less than what the United States government spends on healthcare, which is approximately 17% of its GDP. The quality of healthcare in Canada is generally considered to be good. Canadians have access to a wide range of healthcare services, and the wait times for medically necessary services are relatively short. Comparison to the United States Healthcare System The Canadian healthcare system is different from the United States healthcare system in a number of ways. One of the biggest differences is that the Canadian healthcare system is universal, while the United States healthcare system is not. This means that all Canadians are eligible for healthcare coverage, regardless of their income or employment status. In the United States, on the other hand, millions of people do not have health insurance. Another difference between the two systems is that the Canadian government is responsible for paying for the majority of healthcare costs. In the United States, on the other hand, private health insurance companies pay for the majority of healthcare costs. The Canadian healthcare system also has shorter wait times for medically necessary services than the United States healthcare system. This is because the Canadian government regulates wait times for these services. In the United States, on the other hand, wait times for medically necessary services can vary widely depending on the region and the type of service. Overall, the Canadian healthcare system is considered to be better than the United States healthcare system. It is more affordable, more accessible, and has shorter wait times for medically necessary services. Here is a table summarizing the key differences between the Canadian and United States healthcare systems:
Characteristic Canada United States
Universality Yes No
Government involvement High Low
Affordability More affordable Less affordable
Accessibility More accessible Less accessible
Wait times Shorter wait times Longer wait times
Quality Generally considered to be good Generally considered to be good, but there are disparities in quality
drive_spreadsheetExport to Sheets Conclusion The Canadian healthcare system is a universal healthcare system that provides affordable and accessible healthcare to all Canadians. It is considered to be better than the United States healthcare system in terms of affordability, accessibility, and wait times for medically necessary services.  

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