Healthcare in Canada

Persuasive Essay # 101769

Canadian Studies
Medical and Health
Political Science

This paper discusses why healthcare has become an important issue for Canadians.

785 words () | 3 sources | MLA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

In this article the writer notes that the issue of health care in Canada is an important one for debate because the country operates a health care system that is unique, particularly in comparison with systems of other developed countries. The writer points out that Canada's one-tier system based on publicly funded health care is in stark odds to the two-tier system (of both public and private health care) common to other advantaged countries, such as the United States and Australia. The writer maintains that this in itself has caused contention amongst Canadian proponents for system change even though a number of other issues also play a role in debating the validity and importance of Canada's healthcare system.

From the Paper:

"Canada is unusual in that its health care system is wholly publicly funded, whilst the health care services are actually provided by private bodies. Healthcare is a hot issue in Canada, however; although the system appears to be a public one from the outside it is not in reality always so. In Canada, the health care system is paid for primarily by the government; however, at the other end of the spectrum, the government contributes so little to prescription drugs costs, and dental care, which is notoriously expensive.
"It is prudent for governments, researchers, critics and citizens to compare public national systems to those of other countries, not only as a basis for comparison but also in order to establish benefits of altering the existing system, if any positive changes are identified."

Sample of Sources Used:

"Health Care Systems: An International Comparison". Strategic Policy and Research Intergovernmental Affairs, May 2001. Date accessed: 18 February, 2007. Available: http://www.pnrec.org/2001papers/DaigneaultLajoie.pdf.
"Public Versus Private Health Care." CBC News. December 1, 2006. Date accessed: 18 February, 2007. Available: http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/healthcare/public_vs_private.html.
Walkom, Thomas. "Fixing Health Care: The Hard Lessons from Down Under." Toronto Star. Cited in Doctors Reform Society. March 25, 2000. Date accessed: 18 February, 2007. Available: http://www.drs.org.au/wwwboard/messages/672.html.