Canada Healthcare System vs. The United States Healthcare Systems

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Neighboring countries, United States and Canada have close ties to one another, share the same language and have many of the same fundamental and religious beliefs. It is an interesting debt as to which provides a superior healthcare system. In order to better understand the strengths and weakness of the two systems, this paper will review four important structural and functional elements of each system.

1. Who receives healthcare coverage?

2. How is healthcare delivered?

3. How is healthcare paid for?

4. How is the payment system organized?

An analysis of the US and Canada’s systems reveals advantages and drawbacks within each structure. While it is apparent that both countries could benefit from the adoption of portions of the others system, Canada’s healthcare system offers several benefits over the US system.

Who receives healthcare coverage?

Due to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act signed into law on March 23rd, 2010; health care in the US is presently in a state of much needed transition. As of 2008, 46 Million residents (15% of the population) were uninsured and 60% of residents had coverage from private insurers. 55% of those covered by private insurers received it through their employer and 5% paid for it directly. Federal programs covered 24% of Americans; 13% under Medicare and10% under Medicaid. (Squires, 2010)

With implementation of healthcare reform, steps are being taken over the next several years to insure all American’s. Starting in 2014, a new resource called an Exchange will be available. According to HHS, a healthcare exchange will “provide a transparent and competitive insurance marketplace where individuals and small businesses can buy affordable and qualified health benefit plans”...

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...rofiles of Health Care Systems, The Commonwealth Fund, June 2010. Retrieved April 20th, 2011 from website: http://www.commonwealthfund.org/~/media/Files/Publications/Fund%20Report/2010/Jun/1417_Squires_Intl_Profiles_622.pdf

Johns, M.L. (2010). Health Information Management Technology. (3rd Edition) Chicago, IL: AHIMA Press.

K. Stremikis, C. Schoen, and A.-K. Fryer. A Call for Change: The 2011 Commonwealth Fund Survey of Public Views of the U.S. Health System, The Commonwealth Fund, April 2011. Retrieved April 26th, 2011 from web site: http://www.commonwealthfund.org/Content/Publications/Issue-Briefs/2011/Apr/Call-for-Change.aspx

US Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.) Provisions of the Affordable Care Act, By Year. Retrieved April, 26th 2011 from The Department of Health and Human Services web site: http://www.healthcare.gov/law/about/order/byyear.html

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