What is wrong with the Canadian Health Care system?

Essay by NeverEndingLight May 2009

download word file, 5 pages 3.0 1 reviews

Eighteen weeks. According to a CBC news report, eighteen weeks was the average wait time between a patient seeing their family doctor and actually getting treatment or surgery. How much can happen in eighteen weeks? That is four and a half months! How can that possibly be considered efficient? One of the most highly criticized systems in Canada is the public healthcare system. When compared to the United states and Europe, Canada's current system is obviously outdated and in need of change, as the population ages. One of the main obstacles are the continuing budget cuts, resulting in hospital closures and overworked staff.

To begin, one should compare Canada's' health system to that of other countries. The Canadian Health System is publicly funded; meaning that anyone can get treatment anywhere in Canada and the government will pay for all necessary expenses. On the other side of the spectrum, the American health system is Private.

With good health insurance, an American can get treatment in any hospital and have less worries about paying for treatments, but without insurance, the access to healthcare is very limited and only certain clinics will treat you. Europe is the median, they have a two-tier system where everyone can get access to treatment and the government will pay for the bare necessities, but if a person can afford it, they can pay to be treated at a private hospital, and have a shorter wait time (Canada and the World)One major criticism Canada is faced with when compared to other countries is the use of new drugs and new technology. Canada typically does not use newer drugs or experimental drugs(The Canadian Press) and cannot afford new technology like Europe because there is no source of income; the government pays for everything. In the end, you...