A 3-minute diagnosis of the Canadian Health Care System

This is an entry for the Fraser Institute's Video Contest. This exceptionally brief video attempts to outline some of the problems and potential solutions relating to the Canadian health care system. Since health care in Canada is such an encompassing topic, three minutes is not enough time to cover all of the important issues. However, we believe this video provides some important policy solutions that could be implemented to help improve the Canadian health care system.


The following references were used:
Canadian Institute for Health Information, National Health Expenditure Trends, 2000, catalogue no.

Canadian Institute for Health Information, Health Care in Canada, 2000, Statistics Canada, catalogue no.
http://www.statcan.ca/english/freepub/82-222-XIE/82-222-XIE2000000.pdf

Health Canada, Canadas Health Care System http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hcs-sss/pubs/system-regime/2005-hcs-sss/index-eng.php (20 Oct. 2008).

Julie White, Michael NcBane, Governments links to Big Pharma threat to public health. Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, vol. 15, no.5. (October 2008) pg 1 & 6

Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, OECD Health Data 2008 Frequently Requested Data Directorate for Employment, Labour and Social Affairs http://www.oecd.org/document/16/0,3343,en_2649_34631_2085200_1_1_1_1,00.html (23 Oct 2008).

Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, Statistics Portal database, http://stats.oecd.org/wbos/Index.aspx?usercontext=sourceoecd (23 Oct. 2008).

SONG
Title: For the Reunion
Music by: Nobuo Uematsu
and arranged by Kenichiro Fukui, Tsuyoshi Sekito, and Keiji Kawamori
Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Canada
• health
• care
• expenditure
• waiting
• list
• pharmacare
• medicare
• Fraser Institute
• Video
• contest
• health care

[goldenglitter101]

You could have written it out & make it must easier for yourself and us. And where do ur facts come from?

[crypticrevival]

@goldenglitter101

The facts are cited in the description. May I ask what in particular you have an issue believing?

[MasterGooch]

I thought this movie was pretty cool. Lots of good info about the health care system.

Its not supposed to be entertaining.

[spitfire229]

Having a MA in Public Administration and having taken several economics courses, including a Masters level course on Health Care, this is the only video that truly offers unique economic arguments to the "private health care is the only solution" approach. Well done!

[crypticrevival]

@FIXWCBCANADA

Again, I suppose this further demonstrates how bad of an idea it is to have private health care (Workers Compensation Boards) alongside public health care. From academic articles I have read though, it suggested to me (inexperienced with it first-hand) that Workers' Comp patients can get scans, surgeries etc... ahead of people waiting in the public system.

[FIXWCBCANADA]

@crypticrevival ...most Canadians do not understand how Workers Comp really functions, when injured on the job, The injured worker is discriminated and denied universal healthcare; Then without medical care the injured worker is soon disabled due to denial of requested diagnostic tests to properly diagnose the injury; (sure if you have a bone sticking out your body or your injury is plainly obvious, then treatment is usually forthcoming;)

However, when injury is not easily diagnosed ,,,ur fked;

[crypticrevival]

@jellofuel

I do not disagree that there are many more systems out there with privatization in the health care system (ourselves included: Worker's compensation, drug coverage, supplementary coverage etc...) however, in the nations that appear to work best for health outcomes and keeping costs down are systems that heavily regulate the private market in health care.

SHI Nations - same health outcomes as NHS, but they cost more.

[crypticrevival]

@FIXWCBCANADA

I'm sorry to hear that. Perhaps I am naive, but to me this just further shows how a two-tiered system can fail, in one of the worst ways. Introducing private into public...not the solution we need.

[jellofuel]

@crypticrevival Been a while since I posted here. Stateside it appears there are more community clinics opening their doors and charging for care based on income. I see the American system as self correcting, especially if you let change happen. Also anticompetition laws need to be repealed.

But its worth noting that the Cdn system is drifting towards increased privatization as patients grow tired of excessive waiting lists. Dig around a little and you'll be surprised at whats out there

[FIXWCBCANADA]

@crypticrevival ,,injured Jan 24 / 2003 denied diagnostic test and forced into physiotherapy were I deteriorated and was then cutoff benefits; received MRI June 2005, 30 months after injury;

GP requests for expedited specialists appointment; DENIED; see you in court asap, workers comp;

received surgery sept 2005 but denied treatment for other injuries, finally diagnosed 2011;

[crypticrevival]

@chphotography2

But then the sick pay more, leaving them vulnerable. In retrospect, you could say it penalizes the healthy however that is what was agreed - we would all pitch in to help pay for health care for those who need it when they need it (everyone at some point).

The issue with Health Savings accounts is the administration costs. Everyone files taxes anyway, so collecting funds for health that way is cheap. Having employers do it requires manpower and more money.

[crypticrevival]

@jellofuel

And if you can't pay, or your employer doesn't offer coverage (or you work part-time) but you make enough not to be considered for Medicare/Medicaid, no health care services for you.

Every developed country in the world except the U.S. has universal coverage. (All OECD natios except Turkey, Mexico and theU.S.) I don't think the odds are in favour of the argument that the U.S. has it right.