Assignment Task:
Healthcare
WHAT: REPLY to the TWO Discussion Posts
FORMAT: APA with In-text Citation and Reference List
REFERENCES: TWO Peer-Reviewed references minimum within last 5 years
INCLUDE: Turnitin Report
TayT
Discussion Post Reply #1
After reviewing Health Care: America vs. the World and completing the international healthcare quiz, I compared the U.S. healthcare system to Canada's. While both countries are high-income nations with up to-date medical technology, their approaches to healthcare delivery differ in structure, access, cost, and outcomes. The U.S. healthcare system uses a mixed public-private model. Programs like Medicare and Medicaid cover some, but the system lacks universal coverage, and over 27 million people remain uninsured (Tikkanen et al., 2020). In contrast, Canada uses a single-payer, publicly funded system that guarantees universal health coverage for all people, primarily funded through taxes (Gunja et al., 2023).
The United States spends more money per capita, roughly 13,400 per person, then Canada, which spends 6,300 per person (Tikkanen et al., 2020). Even with the U.S. spending more money per citizen, the life expectancy in the U.S. is 78.4 compared to Canada's 82.6. It has higher rates of preventable deaths, primarily related to the inability to afford medical care (Gunja et al., 2023). In 2020, the U.S. had the highest infant mortality rate among high-income countries, with 5.4 deaths per 1,000 live births, compared to 4.5 in Canada. Chronic health conditions related to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease contribute to these outcomes (Gunja et al., 2023). Canada's system provides care based on the need for services rather than the ability to pay, leading to greater access to needed healthcare. In the U.S., insurance is often tied to employment status, with high deductibles creating high out-of-pocket costs and many barriers to health care (Tikkanen et al., 2020). Both Countries have pros and cons to their healthcare delivery systems; the U.S. is known for having cutting-edge medical technology, advancements in treatment options, and access to specialized care, but faces challenges with affordability and equal access to care. Canada offers more equitable access to care, but patients often face long wait times for procedures and to see specialists. I was surprised that despite spending nearly twice as much, the U.S. ranks lower in every primary health outcome than Canada. Canada's system proves that delivering quality, cost-effective care is possible. Need Assignment Help?
ChJo
Discussion Post Reply #2
How are they similar?
Healthcare in Canada and healthcare in United States share many similarities. Canada's Universal coverage healthcare and healthcare in the United States are both financed through payroll deductions and taxes; 11% of Canada's GDP goes to healthcare spending (Healthcare Funding Policy in Canada. n.d.)
In both countries private insurance can be purchased for supplemental care. In a published report Cigna Healthcare (2023) reports that most Canadians have private health insurance to gain access to a wider range of services and benefits that Canada's universal coverage healthcare does not provide. In Canada private insurance gives Canadians access to an expanded network of health care providers and the wait time to see a specialist is shorter. Like the United States, primary care providers in Canada have private practices and are paid fee for service (Robinson, 2021).
How are they different?
Hospitals in Canada are budgeted by the provinces they are in while in the US most of the hospitals function as businesses; large hospital systems function like fortune 500 corporations. According to Brill (2013) MD Anderson's revenue in 2013 was $531 million, which is a profit margin of 26% on revenue of $2.05 billion. In the city of Houston, only one hospital named Ben Taub is funded by taxpayers.
The Canadian government regulates prescription prices while here in the United States prescriptions prices are regulated by the drug manufacturers. The US government tries to influence the price, regulating what amount Medicare will pay. To offset the high price of prescriptions many HMO plans pay most of the cost for their employees; this leaves a small co-pay, which is paid by the employee who needs the medication. The medication must be approved by the HMO, additionally, the medication must be approved for the individual. Robinson (2021) states some United State citizens travel to Canada and Mexico to purchase medications abroad where they are cheaper.
How successful is each system in keeping patients healthy?
In Canada rationing occurs for imaging and elective surgical procedures such as hip replacements, cataracts, cardiovascular. On a personal note, my aunt who lived in Canada was misdiagnosed and later died. X ray equipment rather than an MRI or PETS scan was used to determine if her cancer had spread, additionally she had to wait many months to see a specialist. Here in the US, coverage is compromised due to cost to the patient. Brill (2013) recants the story of a 42-year-old from Ohio who sought treatment at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. He was not unable to buy comprehensive health insurance. The cost to see a specialist and devise a treatment plan costs $48,900. due in advance. The treatment plan which includes chemotherapy costs $83,900.
How has the structure of this healthcare system impacted patient mortality rates?
Despite the numerous similarities between Canada and the United States Universal Health Coverage in
Canada has reduced that country's mortality rates. According to Rudiger (2023) the United States spends twice as much per capita on healthcare as Canada or France, yet pre-COVID-19 mortality rate from treatable causes was over a third higher in the United States than in Canada and twice as high as those of France.
** No number assigned to the actual mortality rate. Mortality rates are specific to race, attitudes about the healthcare system and its intent to help, age, gender, and socioeconomic class. The generalization that rates in Canada are lower than they are in the US is predicated on there being less obstacles to access care in Canada. The access of care goes beyond provider availability**
Which system is more expensive to operate?
Granted, Canada and France have smaller populations than the United States. In 2021, the US health sector has a greater share of the economy than in comparable countries, The United States is 18.3% of the GDP, while the average country is less than 12% of GDP. Rudiger (2023) states that health system failures, economic and social structures are the culprit for poor and unequal health outcomes in the United States.
What surprised you about what you learned?
According to Rudiger (2023) the Affordable Care Act of 2010 established private insurance marketplaces. ACA solidified insurance companies' influence on how the public accesses care. As a result, there has been an increase in households covered by insurance which was nullified by deductibles, user fees, and claim denials, leaving two-thirds of insured people struggling to access care.