Canadians using US Hospitals?

Question

I got a 3-4 pg research paper to do on this topic.

Is it ethical for one country to use another's Health Care services? To narrow it down, is it ethical for Canadians to use Metro Detroit, MI hospitals...or Canadians to use Buffalo, NY area hospitals, or Canadians to come from Vancouver to Seattle area hospitals? (These are the 3 areas that I thought these scenarios happen)
Possible Pro's:
- More business for these area's hospitals (These cities need it)
- We don't have long waiting lists like the Canadians do.
Possible Cons:
- How do our hospitals determine who to care for first: a few Canadians who need an urgent surgery..or a local who needs urgent care?

Answer 1

Yes. These clients come equipped to pay for the service provided. It shows that although Canada has "universal health care", it is not not funded to the point where demand = supply.

I think the American medical professionals treat clients based on need regardless of where they come from or their ability to pay. However, a paying client may get better service.

This is part of the problem in the American system. Medical cost rise because many people treated do not have the ability to pay their expenses, the expenses for this "charity" is passed on to paying client's insurance provider which makes insurance unaffordable to more clients.

Both countries should look to reform the systems to a "universal health maintenance" system to keep healthy people healthy longer. Then, as warnings of future problems are detected, the clients will be required to supplement the "maintenance" coverage to provide additional benefits as they become needed. This is called "planning ahead". It also promotes a healthy lifestyle with additional monetary savings as a reward.

Answer 2

A paying customers is just that a paying customers. American Hospitals are set up more like a business, they are a first come first serve urgent care basis. It is unethical and against the Hippocratic oath to giver prefer entail care to one person over another. The most urgent, of the two gets surgery first.

There is an equal concern with regards to Canadian hospitals. There have been problems revolving around counterfeit health cards, as well as abuse of the Canadian system on the part of their neighbors to the south. In that instance they are a flat out burden on the system since it is publicly funded.

If a Canadian would like to elect to pay for care then they are welcome to, it is beneficial to the underlying structure of the hospital industry. The situation regarding urgent care will most likely be a rarity as most Canadians will cross the boarder for elective procedure, as well as non essential treatments that you do need to wait for under the Canadian system.

Answer 3

I don't think ethics is a question here. Where would you go for the medical care that you need? Would you wait for a long time in your own country to get it for free or go across a border and pay to have it quickly? What if the level of care or expertise for your medical condition was much better 150 miles from you? Would you think it un-ethical to go there instead of your local quacks?

Answer 4

When they come over and use the US hospitals they are paying for their services. Its not like they come over use the doctor for free and go back. They are exercising their freedom to obtain quality health care when access to it is limited in their own country. As far as determining who gets priority it is always the same. Whomever needs it more urgently.

You are wrong about hospitals on the large cities needing more business. They are usually running at the breaking point. I live in Washington and most people from BC use doctors in Bellingham which is a much smaller urban area.

Answer 5

They are coming here and footing their own bills.
I see no problem with it.
It does show how great public health care is working when people have to leave the country.
We have people going to Canada to get meds.
Canadians are coming here to get care.

Does anyone else see the problem.

Answer 6

the sickest get treated first. no self respecting Canadian would let an american doctor touch them. no self respecting Canadian official will pay for inferior health care. why would any Canadian try the american way in the beautiful city of Detroit when they can walk the ghetto of ''sue'' saint marie

Answer 7

They pay, so what's your problem. Medical care is a business in your country.

Answer 8

Well, I think it is about as ethical as Americans getting their prescription drugs from Canada because they are cheaper.

Think about it. . .