Healthcare system in the U.S. to other developed countries with universal coverage

Full Answer Section

• Canada:
  • Access: Universal healthcare (Medicare) provides coverage to all citizens and permanent residents. Provincial and territorial governments administer healthcare.
  • Delivery: Primarily public hospitals and clinics, with some private providers. Emphasis on primary care and gatekeeping.
  • Financing: Funded through general taxation. Single-payer system reduces administrative costs.

2. Market Justice vs. Social Justice:

• Market Justice (U.S.):
  • Emphasizes individual responsibility, free markets, and limited government intervention.
  • Healthcare is viewed as an economic good, and access is based on ability to pay.
  • Leads to disparities, as those with higher incomes have better access to care.
• Social Justice (Canada):
  • Emphasizes collective responsibility, social solidarity, and government intervention to ensure equitable access.
  • Healthcare is viewed as a social good, and access is a right.
  • Aims to reduce disparities and ensure that everyone receives necessary care, regardless of income.

3. Population Health Outcomes:

• Life Expectancy:
  • Canada: Higher life expectancy than the U.S.
  • U.S.: Lower life expectancy compared to other developed nations, despite higher healthcare spending.
• Maternal Mortality:
  • U.S.: Significantly higher maternal mortality rate than Canada and other developed countries.
  • Canada: Lower maternal mortality rates.
• Infant Mortality:
  • U.S.: Higher infant mortality rate than Canada and most developed countries.
  • Canada: Lower infant mortality rates.
• Access to Primary Care:
  • Canada: Higher access to primary care.
  • U.S.: lower access to primary care, and higher use of emergency rooms for primary care.
• Chronic Disease Management:
  • Canada: better management of chronic diseases such as diabetes, and hypertension.
  • U.S. worse management of chronic diseases, with larger disparities.

Analysis:

• Canada's social justice approach leads to more equitable access and better population health outcomes compared to the U.S.'s market justice approach.
• The U.S. spends significantly more on healthcare but achieves worse outcomes, highlighting the inefficiencies of its system.
• Canada's single-payer system reduces administrative costs and allows for greater focus on preventive care and public health.
• The US has a larger disparity in healthcare outcomes between different social and economic groups.

Key Differences Summarized:

• Coverage: Universal (Canada) vs. fragmented (U.S.).
• Financing: Single-payer (Canada) vs. multi-payer (U.S.).
• Equity: Social justice (Canada) vs. market justice (U.S.).
• Outcomes: Better in Canada, despite lower spending.

It is important to note that Canada's system is not without its own set of challenges, such as longer wait times for some elective procedures. However, in terms of overall equity and population health outcomes, Canada's universal healthcare system performs better than the U.S. system.

Sample Answer

Comparison: U.S. vs. Canada

1. Access, Delivery, and Financing:

• United States:
  • Access: Primarily through employer-sponsored insurance, private insurance, and government programs like Medicare (for elderly) and Medicaid (for low-income). Significant disparities exist, with many uninsured or underinsured.
  • Delivery: A mix of private and public hospitals and clinics. Fee-for-service model is prevalent, leading to high costs.
  • Financing: Complex system involving private insurers, government programs, and out-of-pocket payments. High administrative costs.