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Canada health care policy
Essay on canada health act 1984
Compare and analyze the Canadian and the U.S. health care systems
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Canada Health Act (1984), augmented the Constitution Act. • The Canada Health Act aims “to protect, promote and restore the physical and mental well-being of residents of Canada and to facilitate reasonable access to health services without financial or other barriers.” • The Canada Health Act specified that the federal government would provide funding to the provinces and territories on condition that they complied with the principles of the Act. The federal government originally providing half of the capital for health services, but this portion has fallen gradually over the years, wear down the federal government’s ability to influence provincial governments’ policies. Provincial health insurance plans must be comprehensive, covering all necessary procedures and services • Coverage must be portable, so that people do not lose their healthcare benefits when temporarily absent from their home province. The federal government retains responsibility for providing services to First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, members of the RCMP, members and veterans of the Canadian Forces, prisoners in federal penitentiaries, and refugee claimants. – The federal government also has a role in coordinating the promotion and protection of the public’s health; it contributes to disease surveillance and prevention, it supports …show more content…
The U.S. healthcare system operates mostly by the private sector. The U.S. provides a mixture of private insurance, employee-funded, and government programs. Canadians may not be able to receive coverage for certain treatment such as dental and any kind of cosmetic, some medications and others procedures; a person may have to buy private insurance to cover
Though, Professor Armstrong makes very good connections between health care policy reforms and its impact on women, all of these connections are eclipsed by the values encompassed within the Canada Health Act of 1984. Health care to this day is provided on the basis of need rather than financial means, and is accessible to all that require it. Professor Armstrong’s argument is hinged upon the scope of services provided under the public health insurance system, and the subsequent affect of these reforms on women as the main beneficiaries of these services and as workers in these industries. However, these reforms were made to balance the economy, and the downsizing and cutbacks were necessary steps to be taken with respect to this agenda. Moreover, as aforementioned the access to medical services ultimately comes down to need, and the reforms to date are not conducive to an intentional subordination of female interests in the realm of health care. Therefore, I find Professor Armstrong’s critique on Canada’s public health insurance system to be relatively redundant because the universal access to care encompassed within the Canada Health Act transcends the conditional proponents of her arguments of inequality. In other words, I believe she is
The health care system in Canada today is a combination of sources which depends on the services and the person being treated. 97% of Canadians are covered by Medicare which covers hospital and physician services. Medicare is funded at a governmental and provincial level. People of First Nation and Inuit descent are covered by the federal government. Members of the armed forces, veterans, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police are also covered by the federal government. Several services such as dental care, residential care, and pharmaceutical are not covered. The 13 provinces have different approaches to health care; therefore, it is often said that Canada has 13 healthcare systems (Johnson & Stoskopf, 2010). The access to advanced medical technology and treatment, the cost of healthcare, and the overall health of Canadians fares well in comparison with other countries such as the United States.
Presently, access to programs and health care services is fragmented given the nature of the health care system for Aboriginal peoples (Wilson et al., 2012). The federal government is responsible for providing limited health services among Inuit living within traditional territories and status/registered Indians living on reserves (Chen et al., 2004). This responsibility is vested in the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch organizations to carry out protection activities and health promotion, and provide funding for community health programs in Inuit communities and reserves (Chen et al., 2004). Firstly, the complexity of the health care system for Aboriginal peoples has resulted in an unequal access to health services due to the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch program (FNIHB), which only applies to Inuit and Indians. Therefore, Metis and other Aboriginal peoples who do not qualify for registration under the Indian Act do not receive health services provided by FNIHB (Chen et al., 2004). Secondly, the transfer of responsibility to health boards, communities and other authorities has resulted in unequal supply of health services between territories and provinces, uneven distribution among communities, and leaves limited opportunity for increased funding (Loppie et al., 2009). It has also lead to controversy between various levels of government over the responsibility to pay for particular health services. Jurisdictional limitations, which have failed to recognize Metis identity and rights, have resulted in health disparities among the Metis population (Wilson et al., 2012). While the federal government recently decided to include Metis status in Aboriginal initiatives, the funding has not been equitable when compared to those of Inuit and First Nations or to the non-Aboriginal populations in Canada (Loppie et al., 2009). The Aboriginal health
The Canadian Alliance Party’s plan is to make several policy developments to benefit Canada’s health care. They believe it will serve the security and well-being of all Canadians. The last party involved in this issue is the NDP Party who indicate that they are fighting hard for a better health care system in our economy. The NDP Party states that the income of a family should not dictate the quality of health care. Canada’s health care system is gradually growing to be a major concern in today’s society, providing Canadians with the standard of care they deserve.
Primary health care is the essential step to the Canadian health system. It is often associated with other specialized health care sectors, and community services. Many patients visit various services under primary health care such as family doctors' offices, mental health facilities, nurse practitioners' offices; they make phone calls to health information lines, for example, Tele-health; and receive suggestions from physicians and pharmacists (First Ministers; meeting on healthcare, n.d.). This service can prevent patients from visiting the emergency department, when all that is required is some guidance and advice. Having primary care services can reduce the consumption of acute beds, where only seriously ill patients can use the acute beds when it is available. Primary care not only deals with sickness care, but it helps patients receive preventable measures; it promotes healthy choices (Primary health care, n.d.). The focus on appropriate health care services, when and where they are needed, enhanced the ability of individuals to access primary care in various settings: at home, in a hospital or any number of family health care venues, such as Family Health Teams (FHTs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), or Nurse Practitioner- led clinics. This paper will look at the litigious heated argument in the Romanow Report concerning primary care. It will begin with a discussion of the outcome of the Accord on Health Care Renewal (2003) and The First Ministers' Meeting on the Future of Health in Canada (2004), both referring to primary care, which will then be followed with an assessment and analysis of the different ways in which the accords have been addressed in support of primary care. Followed by a discussion about the changes on ...
Most of the Canadians are struggling to pay for health care. The entire system needs to be reformed. The Canada health act is still in its developing stage and majority of the medically necessary services are not included in health care act. If the service is not considered as medically required the whole cost should be payed by the patient, province or territory will not cover the insurance plan. Dental treatments and optometry are not included in health services and these services are undertaken by private sectors.
In Canada “universal coverage for medically necessary health care services [are] provided on the basis of need, rather than the ability to pay” (Government of Canada) and all citizens are guaranteed access to health care despite their financial status. In 1984 the Canada Health Act was passed which replaced federal hospital and medical insurance acts while establishing criteria on portability, accessibility, universality, comprehensiveness, and public administration for health (Canadian Federation of Medical Students [CMFS]). In the public system, the responsibilities outlining healthcare are split between federal and provincial/territorial governments. The federal government currently sets and administers all national principles for the system, acts as the financial support for provinces and territories, and oversees the funding and delivery of primary and supplementary services. Provinces or territories have the most responsibility; they are responsible for the delivery and administration of most services, planning, and implementation of health promotion and public health initiatives and negotiation of fee schedules with hospital employees (CMFS).
Introduction Modifications to the Canadian health care system have been made over the years and will continue to be made in response to transformations in medicine and Canadian society. However, the fundamental aspect remains the same – universal coverage of medically necessary health care services delivered based on need, rather than the affordability. This scholarly paper will provide a brief overview of the structure and function of the Canadian health care system and how it is funded. Canada’s health care system is often stated as being one of the best in the world. However, we still face many challenges going forward.
89). Canada Health Act (1984) policy states that Canadian health care policy is “to protect, promote and restore the physical and mental well-being” of eligible residents of Canada which guarantees the universal access to medically necessary healthcare and hospital services. In conflict perspective, quality healthcare services only applies to people that have money and power. In a study by Shah, Gunraj and Hux (2003) in Ontario, aboriginal people have higher hospital ambulatory care--sensitive (ACS) conditions rates compare to the general population but lower utilization of referral care--sensitive (RCS) procedures. This trend is in contrast to the primary objective of the Canada Health Act which is to protect, promote and restore physical and mental well-being of Canadian residents.
Currently, all jurisdictions in the matter of health and public health functions, have roles and responsibilities for public health (Government of Canada,2004). The provincial government is
Healthcare and access to healthcare is not a fundamental determinant of the health of affluent countries and affluent communities within a country. However, access to healthcare services for marginalized and or disadvantaged groups within wealthy countries is critical. The Canadian federal government is responsible for healthcare on reserves in Canada and the way that is set up show evident inequities within the health system compared to non-aboriginal people living in modern-day Canada. The healthcare on reserves is basic most care being carried out by nurses, and the severely ill must be evacuated to larger centres. The health care system for Aboriginal people living on reserves in modern-day Canada has historical roots in colonialism
Compared to other countries that lack health care coverage, Canadians live in luxury, it is not a worry for most citizens because it is ensured that their needs will be covered by the government so there are no worries about going bankrupt over expenses because of healthcare. Americans have pointed out that the coverage is not that beneficial because of the long waiting people go through at hospitals and the high taxes. Although, there are many more benefits that Canadians receive due to having covered health care that make life as a Canadian much more easier than living as an American. A serious change needs to be made as there have been over 45,000 Americans that have died from not being able to pay for their health expenses and more than 643,000 bankruptcies over medical bills every year (Site). “When my family lived in America, my grandpa had suffered a heart and passed away, it took them about ten years to be able to pay for the medical expenses” (Danielle Martin)
Health care is continuously evolving worldwide, however, healthcare amongst countries can be tremendously different. They are different in terms of the coverage their nation receives. The types of universal health care are single payer, two-tier, and insurance mandate. Canada itself is lucky enough to be a country that is single payer, for now. This means that the government will provide healthcare insurance for individuals and fund most of their healthcare needs.
Protecting public health is an important factor in every sector. The government of Canada protects the health of public concerning, the quality, safety and effectiveness of drugs, medical devices and pesticides. They ensure the safety of consumer products and substances at workplace, that also includes the nutrional quality of food and its safety, toxic material in environment, the water and air quality. To provide safe and effective medicine, pesticides, food etc. to Canadians, The Health Canada does risk assessment for each and every product before going into the hands of consumers. Risk assessment is done or is necessary to be done to reduce the risk that users might get injured by using a product also ensures the product is harmless or
In such a high-pressure living environment, people in Canada care more about how they can live than how good the quality they have of living. So the healthcare is one of the big problems that people pay a lot attention to. Getting ill is what we wish never happen to us. But once it comes, the ability of having no pressures to afford the high therapeutic fees and expensive medicines is what the good healthcare system should provide to citizens. But in fact, this is the level of the situation that the healthcare system we have now can’t reach to.