Paper
INTRODUCTION
Compensating the affairs of economic efficiency with the demands of sociopolitical rights is a constant source of tension in Canada and the United States alike. In no other element is this tension more apparent than in the group of complex markets we call the health care system.
Canadians have been fortunate enough to receive a universal health care system for nearly forty years. This is a single-payer system funded by the governments, both provincial and federal, but at what costs? Is health care not unlike any other commodity, or is it the privilege of every citizen? Health care has elements of common economic behavior, however, there are also certain social values associated with it. It is this struggle of defining what health care is that causes such anxiety among economists. The Canadian health care system is slowly crippling the economy, and reforms must be devised to preserve the pride of Canada; our health care system itself.
The pluralistic health care scheme of the United States, as well, has serious socioeconomic implications, and American policy makers are looking toward the model of the Canadian system for answers. Both the United States and Canada must reform health care policy, but to what extent? Obviously these questions cannot necessarily yield clear, concise answers, however they will provide insight into analyzing the current and proposed systems of health care.
Certainly if Canada is to maintain a high standard of care it must adopt an economically efficient, revenue generating system. Moreover the United States must adopt the single-payer system of Canada while still retaining a strong revenue base. This paper will discuss the strengths and shortcomings of the Canadian health care system, and how health care is a sociopolitical enigma. Furthermore, how the single-payer system is the only realistic response to the growing inadequacies within the American socioeconomic status.
CANADIAN HEALTH CARE STRUCTURE
Serving as a general background in its appraisal, it is necessary to outline the history and the ambient factors of the Canada health care that is so sought after by the United States. The Canadian health-insurance program, called Medicare, is administered by provincial governments and regulated and partly financed by the national government. Medicare pays basic medical and hospital bills for all Canadians, where the governments determine the criterion of basic care, to insure and maintain a standard level of service. As early as 1919, Canada?s Liberal party promised national health insurance, but the first real step was taken in Saskatchewan, where in 1947 province wide hospital insurance was introduced. A national hospital-insurance act followed in 1958, and by 1960, 99% of Canadians were covered by government run hospital insurance. Saskatchewan was again the first in 1961 to introduce medical-care insurance which covered doctors? services as well. However, this was not an easy transformation. In 1962 when the medical insurance act was implemented, the doctors of Saskatchewan went on strike. As a part of the settlement the government agreed to a modified plan that addressed some of the doctors? grievances. Despite the opposition from provinces, doctors and insurance companies, national Medicare legislation was in place by 1967, and today health care is a constitutional right.
The arrangement reached by all provinces by 1972 was that the federal government paid half the cost of the provincial plans, provided the plans met five principles: accessibility, universality of coverage, portability from province to province, comprehensiveness of service, and government administration. Under the system the health care provider bills the provincial plan directly. The Canadian Health Act, effective in 1984, clarified the national standards and may penalize provinces that allow doctors to bill for more than the Medicare rate.
The Canadian provinces spend a third of their budgets on health and hospitals. High-tech medicine and an aging population have caused Canada?s medical costs to rise significantly over the past decade. Increasingly, governments attempt to control costs by promoting personal fitness, cutting back the number of hospital beds and establishing caps on doctors? earnings. The costs have become so overwhelming some provinces have considered revoking coverage of prescription drugs for seniors, optometry, physiotherapy, and chiropractic treatments. There are no doubt different views regarding spending for health care, however, few wish to revert to a free market system. In fact, most Canadians consider the health care program the pride of Canada and that they have an advantage over the United States system that costs Americans more. ?Canada spends $1000 less per capita on health care than the U.S., but delivers more care and greater choice for patients.? The Canadian health care system has gone through extensive transitions and is a part of an evolutionary process.
AMERICAN HEALTH CARE STRUCTURE
Over the past several years, the provision of medical services has increasingly become the responsibility of the state in developed nations, except for in the United States. ?Unlike the rest of the world?s systems, the United States medical care system remains largely private and entrepreneurial.? The popularity of free market health care systems was fueled by its successes in technological and pharmaceutical inventions that followed the wartime experiences. This reinforced the American public to resist government interference in health matters. Nevertheless, public funds have been used, and there has been a certain degree, public administration in the health system. ?The inability of millions of citizens to obtain or to pay for even minimal levels of care forced the federal government to intervene.? It was not until the early 1960?s the United States government passed the Medicare and Medicaid laws that established the federal government as an integral part of the health system. The U.S. medical care system is primarily based on the private practice of medicine and job related health insurance programs. American health care is essentially entrepreneurial, with physicians earning their income through a variety of reimbursement mechanisms other than salary, such as the following: fee-for-service, capitation, and per-session. However, this structure is changing as more and more doctors are employed by health maintenance organizations (HMOs). These organizations offer comprehensive service and maintain a certain level of control of spending by regulating doctors? billing. Costs have risen enormously forcing the government to raise more and more funds to accommodate the needs of the public. The following pie graphs illustrate the economic scope of the American health care system of 1990 and that of the dawn of the 21 century.
FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 2.
Laborious efforts have been made to contain and control costs, without limiting access and the availability of service for the poor, aged, and debilitated. Consequently, the mixture of private and public health care systems is characterized by maldistribution of resources and serious inadequacies of access. The current health care system of the U.S. is laden with deficiencies. To illustrate these shortcomings; 17% of the population, some 40 million people, are not covered at all, and another 40 million are only partially covered. Some HMOs make it a condition of a physician?s salary that he or she not overstep the boundaries of insurance costs. This raises questions of whether the doctor may be tempted to limit needed services or fail to take adequate steps to establish a diagnosis, and may discharge a patient prematurely.
In the early 1990?s the United States was in a state of uncertainty. Despite highly trained staff and stock piles of high technology, the United States health care system was a statistical failure. It ranked 16th in the world for infant mortality rates, and life expectancies fell short of that of most industrialized countries. President Clinton has made the most visible attempt to reform the health care program in the United States. Both he and his spouse, Hillary Rodham Clinton, have developed a strategy to prepare and propose a health reform program that the public would understand and accept, and that would neutralize opposition from pharmaceutical manufacturers and the health insurance industry. This illustrates the necessity not only for the evaluation, but the development of alternatives to attain greater economical and social efficiency. The current system is clearly inadequate, the problems are evident: a large percentage of the population cannot access sufficient medical care, and is not covered or protected against the climbing costs. A system whose costs are out of control, and a growing national deficit that the health care system heavily contributes. Unmistakably, the United States health care system is grossly incompetent in providing the public with a standard level of care, and reforms must be taken to contain the swelling costs.
CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO HEALTH CARE, FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE?
Economic efficiency and sociopolitical rights consistently clash in a capitalist democracy, and this tension is prevalent in the health care system. A basic economic concern is whether health care is like any other commodity. The health care industry can be analyzed with economic frames of reference: wealth, risk aversion, efficient transfers, and utility. However, there are certain symbolic elements of health care that cannot be easily measured. Cultures have fundamental beliefs that encompass the valuation of life and health. Bearing this in mind, it would only seem realistic that there is some sort of right to health care. Nowhere in the American Constitution is it stated that an individual has the right to some basic set of health care services, however, there are certain undefined responsibilities the government has. It can be argued that the Declaration of Independence supports the right for each and every citizen to have the basic care needed to sustain life so as to exercise one?s liberty and to allow the pursuit of happiness. It has been argued that there is a common-law right to equal services, a right of equal access to basic services: such as drinking water. Furthermore this right extends to all citizens and is beyond the reac
Другие работы по теме:
American Culture Essay Research Paper 091300SOCA 10202On
American Culture Essay, Research Paper 091300 SOCA 102-02 On American Culture To a typical foreign anthropologist American culture could be seen very competitive and individualistic. While other countries only play 1 or 2 sports throughout their nation, North America is involved in a vast variety of competitive sports.
The Cambrian Period Essay Research Paper The
The Cambrian Period Essay, Research Paper The Cambrian Period Science 10/26/95 During the Cambrian Period a lot of things happened both geologically and biologically. The Cambrian Period was the first period of the Paleozoic
Smoking Essay Research Paper Decriptive Abstract The
Smoking Essay, Research Paper Decriptive Abstract The paper discussed statistics on college students. Additionally, important heath problems with smoking cigarettes were presented. These health problems were broken up into different body systems and different risks assocciated with the body systems.
Health Care Essay Research Paper In the
Health Care Essay, Research Paper In the early 1800, public officials were making collective efforts to control communicable diseases such as smallpox, yellow fever, cholera, typhoid, and measles. In order to reduce the presence of communicable diseases, quarantine measures often became law. People who were contaminated were placed in isolation in order to avoid spreading the disease.
Canadians And Americans Essay Research Paper Canadians
Canadians And Americans Essay, Research Paper Canadians and Americans There is much that has distinguished the Canadian experience as different from thatwhich has, and continues to, define the American experience. At first glance, superficiallyCanada and the United States share many aspects in common, for as one comedian oncestated “Canadians are just unarmed Americans with health care”, and for the most part,this is the common belief, as viewed by other nations in this world.
Peyote Essay Research Paper PeyoteA Native Americans
Peyote Essay, Research Paper Peyote: A Native Americans Way of Life The Native American tribes of Mexico and North America have used peyote in religious ceremonies for thousands of years. Peyote in an Indians eye is a healing drug, a medicine . North Americans might say it s a hallucinogenic drug and that it is very dangerous to one s health.
Binary Systems Essay Research Paper Binary systems
Binary Systems Essay, Research Paper Binary systems are a major factor of everyday live. As years pass the use of a binary system has changed dramatically. Throughout this essay I will explain what binary systems are, how they were used in the past, and how they are being used today. A binary system is defined as a numbering system with a base (radix) of 2, unlike the number system which has bases of 10.
Beef It
’s What’s For Dinner Essay, Research Paper Abstract #1: American Beef Consumption in the United States In my research argument, my working thesis claim will be that American people should consume more of American beef products and be less afraid of, and more correctly informed about, the benefits of eating beef products.
USA Essay Research Paper 4 American Civil
USA Essay, Research Paper 4. American Civil War The war between states, in the U. S. history, a four-year war (1861-65) between the federal government of the U. S. and eleven Southern states that asserted their right to secede from the Union. The secession of the Southern states in 1860-61 and the ensuing outbreak of armed hostilities were the culmination of decades of growing sectional friction over the related issues of slavery, trade, and tariffs, and the doctrine of state?s rights.
Criminal Justice Essay Research Paper In this
Criminal Justice Essay, Research Paper In this paper I will attempt to explain how the United States Criminal Justice System and Ireland has some different characteristics. They both share some of the same practices in each system. I will give a brief history of both countries and the way their system works.
American Goldfinch Essay Research Paper The American
American Goldfinch Essay, Research Paper The American Goldfinch The American Goldfinch is a typical member of the North American seed-eating birds that are members of the finch, or Fringillidae, family. This state bird has adapted to eating seeds with its short, heavy, and conical beak. American Goldfinches use their feet extensively.
Perspective On The Healthcare Industry Essay Research
Paper Perspective on the Healthcare Industry Healthcare systems, whether in a well-developed nation or an economically poor society, should be viewed upon as a system which can improve or replace humanity?s biological misfortunes. In other words, the system is always existent and should be open to all members of a community, regardless of financial or socioeconomic status.
American History X Essay Research Paper Trond
American History X Essay, Research Paper Trond Haugen A: How the movie American history X has influenced me American history X had a strange effect on me. Usually, movies entertain me as I watch them, but the moment they end, it is over. Everything goes back to the way it is was as I leave the theatre. American history X was not like that.
Mice Essay Research Paper A mouse is
Mice Essay, Research Paper A mouse is a small rodent. The word mice or mouse is sometimes used to refer to any small rodent. The word mouse has no exact meaning in classification systems. There are numerous amounts of mice in the world, but for convenience they are often grouped as the Eurasian mice and the American mice.
Computers Essay Research Paper Why We StartedInternet
Computers! Essay, Research Paper Why We Started Internet Mental Health is a free encyclopedia of mental health information. It was designed by a Canadian psychiatrist, Dr. Phillip Long, and programmed by his colleague, Brian Chow.
American Medical Association Essay Research Paper American
American Medical Association Essay, Research Paper American Medical Association One of the main topics on everybody’s mind as the new millennium is coming up is their personal health. To make sure that there are sources for people to use to accomplish good health, the American Medical Association was created to promote the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health.
Exercise Essay Research Paper The time has
Exercise Essay, Research Paper The time has come. You realize and decide that you need to exercise. You have many options. Walking would be your best bet. Most Americans in today?s society do not get enough exercise in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Going for a walk could help you loose weight, get in shape, and is a lot of fun.
Exercise Essay Research Paper I think that
Exercise Essay, Research Paper I think that exercise is one of the most important elements for having a good healthy life. For some people exercise is very difficult because people are not used to exercise in a regular basis. Personally, I had tried to exercise in a regular basis, but it is very hard for me to do so.
Can The Y2K Cost You K
’s? Essay, Research Paper Can the Y2K cost you K’s? The Y2K bug is a computer virus that will plague all major computer systems as we move into the next millenium. People of the 20th century are taking this bug too lightly. It possesses the potential to deliver havoc and spread worldwide chaos in a collection of ways.
Korean War Essay Research Paper Causes of
Korean War Essay, Research Paper Causes of the Korean War Essay # 2 By: Dylan Foreman After the Japanese gained control of Korea in and made it part of Japan. The Allies defeated Japan in World War II (1939-1945) and U.S. and Soviet forces moved into Korea. Soviet troops occupied North Korea and American troops occupied South Korea.
The Korean War Essay Research Paper The
The Korean War Essay, Research Paper The Korean War was a war that at the time, many Americans thought was a worthwhile battle. Latter, people would come to believe that the war was not as important as they believed. The Soviet Union would fall and communism would not be a threat in world?s views. I share the belief that the battle was not as important as it was lead to believe.
Concerns That Caused The Settlement Of British
North America Essay, Research Paper I believe that throughout the Colonial period, economic concerns had more to do with the settling of British North America than did religious reasons. First, according to my textbook, the British originally sponsored trips over to the New World only after other countries were profiting from their collections of goods and new trade ports.
Health Care Essay Research Paper Health care
Health Care Essay, Research Paper Health care is an issue that everyone has to face no matter where they live. In great Britian thecosts for medical treatment is payed for by the government. In the United States there has beenmuch debate over a national health-care system. As it is today, health-care is paid for by thegovernment, but the money comes from the people s taxes.
Barbados Essay Research Paper BarbadosThe Barbados is
Barbados Essay, Research Paper Barbados The Barbados is a small country located in the Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela. It?s about 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC. The population of the country is 256,395, with a growth rate of .25%. 80% of their population is African American and the most common language is English.
When Did The First Americans Appear Essay
, Research Paper When did people first come to North America is a highly publicized question in archaeology. This question has been the focal point of many archaeologists careers. Although this question is really no more important than any other unanswered archaeological question; it remains a cataclysm for many, if not all, North American archaeologists
About Health Care Essay Research Paper ABOUT
About Health Care Essay, Research Paper ABOUT HEALTH CARE I think there are many causes which have permitted in the last years increase people+s life expectancy. I consider people are living longer thanks to government policies on public+s health and due in most part to the great medical and technological advances that have been made in the last decades.
Discrimination In USA Essay Research Paper The
Discrimination In USA Essay, Research Paper The 1920?s were a period of economic boom in USA, but most of all, of discrimination. There were two groups who, apart from remaining out of the economic boom, were discriminated and suffered poverty. These people were Blacks and Immigrants.
General George Meade Essay Research Paper General
General George Meade Essay, Research Paper General Meade Do you know who was the general for the Second Battle of Bull Run? Everyone knows what the Second Battle of Bull Run is, but who was the general? Some people even know that the north won that battle. Most people do not know that General George Meade defeated General Lee at that battle.
George Meade Essay Research Paper Do you
George Meade Essay, Research Paper Do you know who was the general for the Second Battle of Bull Run? Everyone knows what the Second Battle of Bull Run is but who was the general? Some people even know
Locke And The American Political System Essay
, Research Paper John Locke and his ideas about philosophy was a major influence on the American political system, not to mention many other political systems, too. His ideas were very
Manifest Destiny Essay Research Paper Manifest DestinyWhat
Manifest Destiny Essay, Research Paper Manifest Destiny What does the painting Manifest Destiny represent? Does it show an image of hope, or one of despair? To answer a question like this one would have to understand what manifest destiny is.
American Civil War Essay Research Paper American
American Civil War Essay, Research Paper American Civil WarThe American Civil War was a grave turning point in the history of North America. It was a conflict that pitted the Northern states of the American union against the Southern states. The war raged for four years, from 1861 to 1865, and was marked by some of the fiercest military campaigns in modern history.
The Advantages Of American Educational System Essay
, Research Paper The Advantages of American Educational System Parents and the older generation Americans always complain about the educational system of the country. They assert that their children?s knowledge and skills are below average as compared to their counterparts in other countries. The American educational system is not inferior to other systems in any other way.