What is the difference between Canada and US health care?

Question

I need to know this for a Sociology class, and I'm not exactly sure what the differences are. Thanks! :)

Answer 1

This is a pretty huge question, but the basic answer is that Canada, like most developed countries, provides state subsidised health care, including prescriptions, nursing, hospital, GP and ambulatory services, for its citizens. It is not 'free' but is rather paid for through taxation. Most dental care and plastic surgery are paid for privately, as they are considered non-essential.
America is, I believe, the only developed country that makes its citizens pay for their own health care.
One primary difference is in the mentality underlying the two systems. Canadians believe that everyone, no matter how rich or poor, is entitled to the same level of health care. This may be one reason that Canadians have a higher life expectancy than Americans.
Implicit in their system is the idea that Americans believe that only those who can afford it deserve good health care, although most Americans i know strongly lament the state of their 'HMO's.

Answer 2

Canadian health care is paid for by the government through taxes - so that when any Canadian citizen needs go visit a doctor it is paid for them. In the US, each citizen needs to purchase health insurance to be able to receive medical care - this means that low income earners/unemployed people can often not afford health insurance and therefore cannot be treated if they need it. The above answer is correct that there are disadvantages to the Canadian system that there are lineups and difficulties, but nobody needs to worry about being unable to afford surgery or having a baby or anything. In the states obviously you get what you pay for and that can be good for the rich, but can be quite a bad situation for poor people or those who lose their jobs etc.

Answer 3

Canada=socialized. US=privatized.

Answer 4

The Canadian system is based on the assumption that all people are entitled to basic health-care free of charge. You will notice a similar attitude in most civilized nations (Britain, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand).

The US health-care philosophy is based on the notion that only the rich are entitled to health, and that poor people are not. A concept more common in developing nations.

Answer 5

in the united kingdom healthcare is actual loose for each guy or woman atm and owned with the help of the folk and introduced with the help of the government (the nhs) besides the fact that if the conservatives are attempting to sell the device off to the comparable comapny who runs the american device as quickly as thats acheived its in elementary terms a question of time till now we undertake the excellent us form systme the place the undesirable cant have adequate money therapy and die lots quicker.

Answer 6

US health care is horrible!! You know the government has failed miserably in that department when the average US citizen can not afford to go to the doctor!!! The United States is supposed to be where you can live the "American dream", but how can you live that dream when you can't afford to treat your cancer, or if you can't go to the doctor when you have pneumonia???

Answer 7

One Costs alot and Is Good
One is Free and Is....less than Good

Canada has sociolized healthcare, meaning everyone gets it for free, but that usually leads to long lines, long waits, and average service...there is much less incentive to exceed expectations

Answer 8

im not canadien but i think their health care is free.... here in the states.... we pay up the wa-zoo

Answer 9

canada is more of an socialist society. the U.S sucks ***

Answer 10

candas is better. but don't they pay more taxes?