Canada'sTwo-Tier Healthcare System

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CANADA HAS TWO-TIER HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

The issue of a universal approach to Canadian Health Care has been contended for several years. Canada's national health insurance program, or Medicare, was designed to ensure that all people can have medical, hospital and physician services. The cost is to be paid for by Ontario medical insurance program (OHIP). The Canada Health Act was intended to represent certain principles of our health care system. It was intended to be a symbol of the Canadian values. Those values are fairness equity and togetherness. This oneness of a universal approach is what we call the one tier system. Many Canadians still believe the official government stand on this: Canada’s medical insurance covers all needs and services for every insured citizen. Officially then, there is a one level health care system. This paper shall argument that Canada has a two tier health care system.

Those who would claim that Canada’s health care is a universal one tier system could refer to the legal terms of the Canada Health Care Act. In particular, the point that states, “Universality: All insured residents are entitled to the same level of health care.” (“Canada Health Care Act”, 2007). In fact, many Canadians feel they have a right to be covered financially for any and all medical costs. According to the Globe & Mail, “Canadians have developed an incredible sense of Medicare entitlement: They want all care for all people, instantly and free of charge.” (Andre, 2009). It is true that the original intention was to make health care services available for Canadians, but the guidelines offer the same service to Canadians covered by the health plan. However, certain problems arose and modifications were needed because not al...

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Works Cited

Andre, P. (2009, October 16). Our two-tiered health system: a rural-urban split. The

Globe & Mail. Retrieved from http://www.theglobeandmail.com

Canada Health Care Act. (2007). Canada Health Care. Retrieved from

http://www.canadianhealthcare.org

National Bureau of Economic Research. (2007). Health status, health care and

inequality: Canada versus U.S. June, E.O. Retrieved from

http://www.nber.org/authors_papers/david_oneill

Ottawa, provinces to begin talks for health deal. (2011, November 22). The Canadian

press. Retrieved from http://www.ctv.ca

Prime minister finally admits two-tier health care exists: McDonough. (2000, November

13). The Canadian Press. Retrieved from http://

search.proquest.com.ezproxy.library.yorku.ca

Shouldice Clinic. Retrieved from http://www.shouldice.com/what_to_expect.htm

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