Healthcare System in the United States and Canada - Essay Example

Healthcare systems in the United States are privately run as opposed to those in Canada which heavily rely on the government for support. This, therefore, makes Canada’s healthcare system evenhanded for most of its citizens as most medical facilities costs are subsidized. Conversely, privately run healthcare systems in the US substantially injure the effective delivery of services for citizens (HealthPAC online n.d).

According to the National Bureau of Economic Research website (n.d), the US healthcare systems spend a superior percentage of its GDP on healthcare totaling 16 percent. However, Canada spends a much lower percentage at 10.4 percent. This arguably helps in the proper provision of healthcare services. Additionally, Canada unlike the United States performs better in healthcare provisions measures namely rates of infant mortality and life expectancy. 

Aspects of open/closed systems exhibited by the U.S and Canada

The US practices closed systems on grounds that they operate privately. This amplifies the fissure between the upper and low-class citizenry. For example, most patients are locked out of healthcare facilities because of the high costs of services and inappropriate insurance systems. Conversely, an aspect of an open system of healthcare is evident in Canada since the operations in the healthcare system are delivered by the government thus subsidizing the cost for many nationals.

Review the article "Health Care Payment Reform: Implications for Nurses"

Policymaking helps in the collective, efficient, and transparent provision of services in any sector of the economy and proper adherence to the same helps in the overall success of the policymakers and citizenry in general. The healthcare system is, without doubt, vital in the reduction of mortality rates thus emphasis on proper healthcare payment is a good reformation strategy. Nurses remain critical ingredients in the healthcare profession, proving the necessary services that doctors are not able to do. In this regard, proper remuneration is paramount to ensure the safe running of healthcare services in any given country. However, the remuneration packages should not compromise the effective provision of services in medical care.  This means that the costs to reward nurses should not in any case add service costs to patients. Proper remuneration, on the other hand, is advantageous to the nursing fraternity since it boosts their working morale in workplaces leading to reduced mortality rates. Conversely, poor remuneration jeopardizes service delivery as a result of the proliferation of corruption loopholes in the healthcare system.

Conclusion

Collective participation of all and sundry members of the healthcare system is pivotal in winning the battle against early mortality rates. Political goodwill, moreover, helps extensively in the running of the healthcare system in the United States contributing immensely as a campaign tool. In conclusion, it is wise for countries to ensure that the private running of the healthcare system is not compromised in the provision of services, and publicly run healthcare systems should remain professional for the benefit of all citizens.