Letter to parliament - Essay Example

This however does mean its policies are perfect in regard to meeting social needs. This discussion focuses on the various ways by, which United States’ social and Health policy has been ineffective the Comparing it with Canadian Social and Health Policy. It suggests ways through which its standards can be raised to favour the entire society. Recommendation are thereby given and conclusion as to introduction of new policies into the industry to facilitative it efficient and smooth running while reducing costs are highlighted.

Background Understanding Canada's Medicare Debate Medicare including social care in Canada is a success story. Not to the perfection, but good enough to be admired by better part of the world. Canadians therefore receive high standard healthcare whenever they need it as there are no financial constrains or any other obstacles, therefore they take the care for granted. In comparison with everything that happens in USA, they get surprised yet pleased to realize they have a well-designed health program that delivers better results and care, to a huge population, and a considerably lower cost than in the USA.

Faced with these realities, media and policy makers have come up with a predictable conclusion: Canadian healthcare is in a deep crisis, probably in deathbed. Collapse of health sector has been predicted and urgent overhaul is needed to bring it back to track. High care debate has become a philosophical battle ground, in which predetermined economic and political assumptions are more evidential and where tale is received as a fact. Considerations Out of Control Costs Reality: Health care expenses are under very tight control, to a point where spending in a pubic funded health facility isn’t keen on keeping track with the population growth rate.

Being a percentage of Gross National Product, spending on health care has leveled at approximately 9%.Healthcare became national program in 1971, when the proportion of GNP rose to 9 % from 7.5%.This rising share going to health care in 1980’s was not as a result of spiraling costs but due to shrinking economy and started at the introduction of free trade agreements .If the GNP did not slump then, the spending on healthcare would still be at 7% just like they did in 1971. While discussing costs on healthcare, it’s crucial to put on mind that spending on health in public sector accounts for 72%.

The costs are rapidly growing in private sector unlike the public sector e.g. dental services and drugs. Instituting user fees and abolishing free system Reality: It’s illogical to say that if costs are too high, the solution is to further raise them. To the contrary user fees do not reducing rather it increases costs. Premium insurance, taxes or user fees the money is dug from the same pocket. The actual advantage to the advocates of user fees is that they discourage the poor from seeking the medical care.

Ones the poor is denied care, the rich can then avoid assisting to cater for their care. In 1970’s under the Liberals, Saskatchewan introduced the fee which saw the poor shy ff from seeking the care, physician visits by the poor decreased by 18%.Inspite of this, the overall costs rose, due to changes in mix services and utilization patterns. Actually the doctors maintained their salaries by encouraging the high income patients to make more visits and take more tests. At the end of it, more was being spent while providing care to fewer people.

Health care Cost