Shannon P.February 14, 2014

A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE ON PRIVATE HEALTHCARE IN CANADA

Canada has a quality healthcare system, but other countries use fewer resources to provide better healthcare.

Canada ranks between fifth and 25th in key global healthcare indicators.

Life expectancy82.5 (12th highest overall)Global average is 71.

Healthcare Spending per Capita$ 5,630 (OCED average is $3322)

Healthcare as % of GDP10.8% (OCED average is 9.3%)

Efficiency17th (out of 48 countries)

WHO Global Healthcare Rankings30th (Out of 191 countries) Countries with Universal Healthcare

Most Efficient Healthcare Systems, 2013

Japan Italy

- Mandatory universal health care insurance.

- Funded through income

based premiums and government subsidies.

- Small co-payments are required for health services.

- Hospitals are privately owned by non-profit organizations.

- Flat fees for medical services; set by the government.

- Organization and administration of healthcare is a regional responsibility.

- Regions must provide publically funded health benefits to all citizens.

- Private health insurance is available, but rarely used.

- Private insurance provides more choice, access to better amenities and additional health services.

NOTABLE HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS

Keeping our Current System

Advantages:

Equitable; based on need not ability to pay.

Universal healthcare is important to a quality healthcare system.

Disadvantages:

Canada continues to lag behind other countries in global healthcare ratings.

Misuse of the system is common.

Adopting a Mixed System

Advantages:

Private healthcare may relieve pressure on the public system.

Some evidence that a mixed system is favoured by Canadians.

Disadvantages:

Few Canadians may actually benefit from private healthcare.

Concerns over a two-tiered system.

OUR HEALTHCARE OPTIONS

A focus on wellness instead of healthcare.

Increased patient involvement.

Investment in new and innovative technology.

WAYS TO IMPROVE OUR HEALTHCARE

• The public-private healthcare debate is complex and not easily resolved.

• Privatization may improve our system, but there are other, less drastic options available.

• Even for mixed healthcare systems, public healthcare often plays an important role.

CONCLUSION

Davidson, K. (2013, August 29). The Most Efficient Health Care Systems In The World . Retrieved from The Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/29/most-efficient-healthcare_n_3825477.htmlIpsos Reid Public Affairs. (2013, August 19). Canadian Medical Association. Retrieved from 2013 National Report Card : http://www.cma.ca/multimedia/CMA/Content_Images/Inside_cma/Media_Release/2013/2013- reportcard_en.pdfKey components of a well functioning health system. (2010, May). Retrieved from World Health Organization: http://www.who.int/healthsystems/EN_HSSkeycomponents.pdfList of countries by life expectancy. (2014, February 9). Retrieved from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_life_expectancyLo Scalzo, A., Donatin, A., Orzella, L., Cicchetti, A., Profili, S., & Maresso, A. (2009). Italy: Health system review. Retrieved from European Commission Public Health: http://ec.europa.eu/health/healthcare/health_systems_organisation/national_health_systems/index_en. htmMost Efficient Health Care: Countries. (2013, August 19). Retrieved from Bloomberg Best (and Worst): http://www.bloomberg.com/visual-data/best-and-worst/most-efficient-health-care-countriesMuzyka, D., Hodgson, G., & Prada, G. (2012). The Inconvenient Truths About Canadian Health Care. Retrieved from The Conference Board of Canada: http://www.conferenceboard.ca/cashc/research/2012/inconvenient_truths.aspxTraphagan, J. (2012, July 3). Could 'Obamacare' Emulate Japan? Retrieved from The Diplomat: http://thediplomat.com/2012/07/could-obamacare-emulate-japan/World Health Organization’s Ranking of the World’s Health Systems. (n.d.). Retrieved from The Patient Factor: http://thepatientfactor.com/canadian-health-care-information/world-health-organizations-ranking-of- the-worlds-health-systems/OECD Health Data 2013. (n.d.). Retrieved from OECD: http://www.oecd.org/health/health-systems/oecdhealthdata.htm

References