Canada is often mentioned when discussing how the United States should fix its health care system, with much to admire and avoid in its system. While there may be aspects Americans could take from Canada’s system, not every Canadian benefits from free health care – although many do. Some choose private plans instead for most hospital and doctor visits while some opt for the government option that covers most visits and doctor appointments.
As an American who has lived in Canada for over two decades, I can confirm that its system of healthcare isn’t free; however, it is very cost-effective and provides sufficient coverage of emergencies and other common needs. Furthermore, its portability means it will follow you wherever your move may lead you.
While the Canadian government provides national guidelines for health care through the Canada Health Act, individual provinces and territories are ultimately responsible for designing their own systems of delivery. Such systems should meet five basic criteria such as public administration, comprehensiveness, universality, portability and accessibility.
Federal governments transfer cash and tax revenues to each of the 10 provinces and 3 territories so they may provide healthcare for citizens. Provincial and territorial governments then use these funds to reimburse physicians for their services and administer care through both public and private providers.
Most Canadians receive coverage from their provincial healthcare plan, which typically is free to residents. Most provinces also provide additional coverage, such as prescription drugs and dental care; in some instances a premium may be assessed to cover additional services; this amounts to effectively paying health care tax.
Supplementing their provincial coverage with private insurance typically incurs costs such as deductibles and copayments that they will have to cover out-of-pocket; however, most can claim these expenses when filing their taxes at year’s end.
Regarding emergency medical situations, all Canadians are entitled to receive care without delay – whether or not they have public, private, or no coverage at all. However, those without valid health cards should expect longer wait times.
Overall, I am proud of Canada’s healthcare system and its way it serves its residents. It was there when my son needed surgery after being involved in a car accident; during coronavirus pandemic season when her knees needed replacing; and when my daughter was diagnosed with cancer. While I would like to see improvements made to improve it further, a fully privatized system may not be the way forward; rather I believe allowing for both public and private providers is the answer to ensure Canadians have access to quality healthcare solutions they require.