photo by Polifemus (cc-by)
By many measures, Canada’s public health care system is better than the US system. But compared to the rest of the world Canada is not a leader.
Canada bests the US in life expectancy, infant mortality rates and affordability. Liberal Americans often point this out as an argument in favor of the US adopting a system more like Canada’s.
But statistics show that Canada lags Belgium, Switzerland and the Netherlands, Norway, Luxembourg, Ireland and Denmark in a number of important metrics. For example, Canada has just 2.1 physicians and 8.8 nurses per 1,000 people. Those EU countries have as many as 31 nurses per 1,000 people. [CMAJ]
And because of a slowdown in enrollment in Canadian medical schools those numbers are likely to get worse.
The US may need health care reform, and socialized medicine could be the answer, but we need to look past Canada for good models.
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I do not know about Canada’s health care, but I can tell you that SOuth Korea’s is top notch. Anyone who says bad things about a national health care plan simply is shoting off their mouth and does not know what they are talking about…it’s that simple. I have received stated of the art care over hear for about $12.00 and in the U.S. it would of easy cost $400.00. Go figure.
I was a Canadian and I still have family members there that just don’t bother to even try to see the Dr unless it is emergency because they are frustrated with the waiting lists to see a Dr. I love my health care here; yes it is costly but because it is not free my family does not abuse it with frivolous visits to the Dr until it is neccesary. Why do you think people with real health problems from Canada and other countries come here … because they want the BEST CARE
We would love to see more debate inside Congress and in the media about these new laws will bring Americans better health care. Improving quality of care is something that all Americans can stand behind.
I’m originally from Ireland and I must tell you, we need to get educated in this country before we speak about socialism and the foreign medical horrors in Europe. Healthcare in Europe and all other developed countries is seen as a right and also, as matter of good public health policy. Nobody is being denied essential care - that’s simply a myth. Some surgeries will need to wait slightly longer but 100% of the people are covered. Here we have the insanity of having 47 million uninsured. Of course we’d need to cut out non essential items in the budget like our empire building in the middle east etc. (how’s that been working out for us?). Let’s get our people insured and then we can work on the infrastructure. Isn’t that what what government is supposed to do?
Barry — access to basic care is absolutely an important goal. High quality care may be an even better goal, hopefully that doesn’t get lost in the current policy debate.
That is N O T true. In canada the health care is MUCH better. Last study put US in the 37th place in the world, Canada in the first 10.
having double the NR’s that are NOT giving us what we need, and working most of the time in billing is not a better healthcare.
I thing that IRS should not put on his site such lies !!!!!!
“access to basic care …” have nothing to do with good care.
And if the basic care is not even half as good as the other bqsic care?
we have the best MD’s but only in 37th place !!!!!!
the system is not working for “good service” its working for high billing. Thats why the cost is the highest and service so bad
I’m a firm believer in a National health Service. I’m originally from England and I was raised within their health system. I remember the total lack of financial worry when there was sickness or injury in the family. Yes, there were some long waits for non-emergency services, but the emergency services were second to none.
Americans have been fooled over and over again by the People who are “milking” their health care system. Those who have become filthy rich pour back some of their fortunes into the buckets of lobbyists who’s job is to spread lies, deceit, half-truths, threats and intimidation. And up to now, it’s worked. I hope that the current political set-up doesn’t once again crumble under the onslaught of the right wing army.
This is akin to state sponsored nonsense….
At least in Canada, not one poor soul went bankrupt or lost their life savings due to medical procedures and/or requirements.
Given then natural dispositions and available resources of the US, I am appalled that the people tolerate such sub-par social programs…
If you haven’t lived under the Canadian Health Care System, don’t knock it. I was up there for 10 years (from 1970 to 1980) and never once had a complaint about the Canadian HC System. If you need medical attention, you get it. If you need help fast, you get it fast. It’s as simple as that.
Canadians are a healthy bunch. They don’t need hundreds of doctors per 1000 people. Again, if you need help fast, you get it fast. Don’t buy into the idea the Canadians are growing old sitting in doctor’s offices waiting to be seen. Wrong. If you come in bleeding, you’re immediately seen. If you come in with a cough and a fever, you’re immediately seen. If you demand attention, you’re seen. But if you, as I found out right away when I first went to see a doctor, have a tooth ache and don’t have a fever, you may have to wait your turn. Pretty simple, huh?
Don’t believe all the claims of those who are opposed to Universal Health Care in the United States. If we had half as good a system of Social Health Care (like Social Security) as the Canadians, there would be far fewer sick people in the USA, and practically no one dying as a result of inadequate health care insurance. Period.
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