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Name: Mohammad shirzai

Title: How we all benefit from the public health system

Site name: the conversation .com

Author: Thilina Bandara

Date: October 23, 2017, 6.52pm EDT

In this article, the author has reviewed and talked about the health care system of Canada in every respect, and expressed the views of the Canadian people who also expressed solutions that improve the country's health care system and there are also clear fact with this article.

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Despite major breakthroughs in antibiotics and vaccinations, infectious disease threats continue to emerge in Canada.

Lyme disease, West Nile virus and measles pose ongoing challenges. An increasing proportion of tuberculosis cases are extensively drug-resistant. Earlier this year there were 473 travel-related cases and three sexually transmitted cases of the Zika virus reported in Canada. And new global pandemics - exacerbated by factors such as conflict and the impact of climate change on cities - are an ever-present possibility.

At the same time, injuries and chronic health conditions like heart disease and diabetes continue to take lives and inflate our health-care costs. And while the health-care system seems to be our natural safeguard against these problems, there is only so much doctors and hospitals can do to maintain the health of Canadians. So who exactly is responsible for the well-being of the entire Canadian population?

As a PhD student of population health sciences at the University of Saskatchewan, I am researching the system delegated to this monumental task, one that is often taken for granted the world over: The public health system.

So what is the public health system? Who is involved and what do they do?

Preventing health disasters

The average Canadian will likely not even hear about the public health system unless something goes awry. This is because the public health system in Canada largely works to prevent health disasters from occurring, while maintaining existing initiatives - such as public health inspections programs, water-quality testing and disease surveillance programs - to ensure our health.

The public health system in Canada operates at three levels of jurisdiction: Nationally, provincially/territorially and at the city level.

At the federal level, the Public Health Agency of Canada provides national guidance to the provinces and cities regarding the state of infectious diseases, chronic diseases and injuries in Canada. It conducts research, provides policy recommendations and supports public health programs.

As with most health services in Canada, the provinces are in charge of setting regulations and targets for local public health professionals. They do this by collecting and synthesizing the provincial public health data to stay ahead of disease trends and by producing province-specific public health policies and regulations.

In local regions, epidemiologists, nurses, doctors and inspectors - along with groups of interdisciplinary health promotion professionals - work together to investigate outbreaks, maintain local food safety and promote day-to-day healthy behaviour and public policy. The exact organizational arrangements differ between provinces.

Turning data into action

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) lays out seven core competencies required of public health professionals. They include science, assessment and analysis, policy evaluation, collaboration and advocacy, diversity and inclusiveness, communication and leadership.

All seven describe the most effective traits for those working in public health to fulfil their mandates. These skills are similar to those defined by the United States Centres for Disease Control (CDC) three fundamental purposes of public health: Assessment, policy development and assurance.

"Assessment" involves monitoring the health status of populations and diagnosing population-based health issues. For example, it is public health officials who first detect a virus outbreak or announce increasing rates of chronic diseases based on data they receive from the health system or from their own independent investigations.

"Policy development" turns the data into action. This involves sharing information regarding public health issues, working with community organizations and the private sector to address emerging concerns and developing policies and programs to enable a healthy society. This work ensures that solutions are developed and deployed by public health agencies, and that they're supported over the long-term by those living in affected communities.

"Assurance" involves a multi-partner effort to enforce public health laws and regulations. It involves interfacing with the health system to connect patients with services and improving the science of public health. This involves leadership, accountability and clear communication on behalf of public health officials.

Social determinants too large to handle?

In Canada, the social determinants of health include income, education, employment and housing. These are factors that influence people's health status but do not necessarily involve the traditional health-care system. The Canadian Medical Association proposes that the social determinants of health are at least 50 per cent responsible for any given population's health status.

Because the social determinants of health generally involve social and public policy factors outside of the traditional public health mandate, questions regarding what public health should and can do complicate action.

The National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health reviewed the research and found that social determinants of health are often seen as too large in scope for public health to handle, especially with limited resources.

As our understanding about the large impact of the social determinants of health increases, it is becoming clear that public health can only be achieved through the collaboration of all social and public policy spheres of influences - across economic, environmental, business and health care institutions - to move a healthy agenda forward.

Increasing public health investment

The rise and persistence of chronic diseases, and the re-emergence of global infectious diseases, threaten Canadians and the world alike. It is vitally important that all public health agencies work together, across jurisdictions, to maintain population health.

In 2014, only 5.6 per cent of total health care spending was allocated to public health. As most of the public health service providers in the country exist within the larger health-care system, funding is often tied to priorities that are not associated with long-term public health gains.

To make gains we must reorient our understanding of health, away from sickness-care and towards prevention. This involves increasing public health investment. This should also involve a Health in All Policies approach to governing. This calls for institutions responsible for the social determinants of health - such as government ministries in charge of finance, housing, social services and the environment - to consider the health of the population in their mandates. This will involve public health professionals working across silos to make health a societal priority.

There is also a general lack of detailed information about the public health work force, best practices and organizational arrangements in Canada. Promising developments in the field of public health systems and service research south of the border must be replicated in a Canadian context to better understand our public health landscape.

The more that is known about our current system, the better equipped we will be to mobilize effective practices nationally and to improve population health moving forward.

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Explainer: How we all benefit from the public health system

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Infectious diseases pose a continual threat to Canadians. Ensuring the population stays healthy requires increasing investment in our public health system.

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Name: Arina

Title: Understanding public and private health care

Site name: Canadian Medical Association

Author: no author

Year: not specified

This article describes about understanding public and private healthcare. There are also clear facts with funding reports. In addition, this article contains clear examples of both healthcare systems.

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CMA EXPLAINS

As health ministers across the country grapple with intractable wait lists for everything from primary care to specialized surgeries, some are turning to the private sector for help. Although privatization brings American-style health care to mind for many Canadians, there are other models - each with pros and cons.

The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) believes now is a critical moment to speak up for the health system we want, grounded in a shared understanding of the one we have and with a focus on access, equity, quality and system capacity. Here are some basics to start with.

What's covered by "public" health care

In the 2023 federal budget, Ottawa committed $196.1 billion in health funding over 10 years. To receive their portion, provincial and territorial governments must follow established criteria for public health insurance - what most of us refer to simply as public health care.

Not all aspects of care are covered. The focus of Canada's public system is on hospitals, diagnostics and physicians. That's why, for example, a broken ankle will be X-rayed and fixed at no direct cost to you, but the out-patient physiotherapy required to rebuild its strength may not.

And while public health care must be overseen by provinces and territories, they can choose private facilities or providers to deliver care, as long as patients aren't charged for services covered by those health cards in our wallets.

Examples include:
Whatever services are covered, and however they're delivered, the interconnectedness of health care means any change can have a domino effect - for better and for worse.
The patient with the broken ankle, for instance, might benefit most from post-surgical physiotherapy. And for someone with private insurance or the personal funds to pay out-of-pocket, a private provider might offer the fastest, most effective care.

For someone who can't afford private services, on the other hand, further care from a publicly funded physician or hospital may be the only option, impacting not only their own health outcome or wait times but those of other patients as well.

"The conversation is not an easy one, but the time is now for an open and honest dialogue on the way forward out of this health care crisis. Services must be there for Canadians when they need them, and solutions must be grounded in the lived experience of those seeking and those providing care."
Dr. Kathleen Ross, CMA president

The balance of public and private care we have now
To get a sense of the current ratio of private to public care in Canada, here's a snapshot of how things break down in the country's largest province, Ontario, which also has the highest concentration of health providers.
The private sector's role in health care can be obvious - when you get a bill from the dentist or optometrist, say - but not always. Patients are not charged for medically necessary services at privately owned walk-in clinics, for example, because these services are publicly funded by the government. The same is true for blood tests and ultrasounds at privately owned labs and clinics.
Where you live affects the balance of public and private care.
The postal code effect

Patients' options for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans are a good example. All medically necessary scans must be covered by provincial and territorial health insurance. The catch is how fast you'll get one.

Machines cost about $3 million. In remote regions like Nunavut and the Northwest Territories there are none; if you need a scan, you'll need to travel. Elsewhere, there are machines - but average wait-times range from 33 to 91 days.

Some governments - for example in British Columbia and Ontario - have addressed this problem by funding private companies to conduct MRI scans, with services covered by public health insurance at no cost to patients.

Saskatchewan made private-pay MRIs accessible in 2016, but clinics must match every privately funded MRI with a spot for someone else on the public waiting list.

Other provinces have opened access to diagnostics that are both privately funded and privately delivered: Alberta established the first private-pay clinic in Calgary in 1993. Now, they also exist in British Columbia, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

Even where private-pay scans are not available, as in Ontario, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador, patients can go to neighbouring jurisdictions.
A large proportion of privately funded health care is covered by insurance companies.
Paying the bill for private care

72:28

As of 2022, governments paid for 72% of all health care. The rest was paid by patients out-of-pocket (11%), through private health insurance (15%) or other sources (2%).

27 million

About 27 million Canadians have private insurance. Approximately 66% have plans attached to employers, with the rest paying for their own insurance policies.

$1,000

On average, Canadians spent more than $1,000 out-of-pocket on health care in 2020.
Prior to the announcement of the 2023 federal budget, the Angus Reid Institute surveyed Canadians on the possibility of increased private funding and delivery of care. Here's how respondents were divided in their thinking:
What Canadians think

Private care proponents

Think privatization is a necessary evolution of care.

Curious but hesitant

Acknowledge benefits to both public and private care.

​​​​​​

Public health proponents

See little to no place for privatization.

"We need to be clear on the realities of our system. There is so much misinformation out there. Many people aren't aware of the current public-private mix of health care services. We can only stand for equity and timely access for all if we're working with a common awareness of the full scope of options available."
Sudi Barre, CMA Patient Voice

Overall, when asked whether patients should be allowed to pay out-of-pocket for faster access to diagnostic tests or select surgeries, 43% of respondents said they supported the idea and 47% opposed it.

SOURCE: Survey conducted with randomized sample of 2,005 Canadians on Feb. 1-4, 2023, by the Angus Reid Institute. Margin of error +/- 2%, 19 times out of 20.

Where the CMA stands

The CMA's current policy on public and private care is based on guiding principles including:

Timely access: Canadians should have timely access to medically necessary care and individual recourse when wait times are unreasonably long.

Equity: Access to medically necessary care must be based on need and not on ability to pay.

Accountability: Public and private health providers should meet the same standards for patient outcomes, full-cost accounting and value for money.

Our principles haven't changed, but pressure on the health system has - which affects patients' access to quality and timely care and providers' well-being.

That's why we're launching cross-country consultations with both the public and the medical profession. What we hear will inform our policy moving forward, and our recommendations for action at a national level.

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Understanding public and private health care

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CMA EXPLAINS As health ministers across the country grapple with intractable wait lists for everything from primary care to specialized surgeries, some are turning to the private sector for help. Although privatization brings American-style health care to mind for many Canadians, there are other models - each with pros and cons.

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Public vs. Private Hospitals – Why Go Private?

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Name: Ira

Title: Public vs. Private Hospitals – Why Go Private?

Author: no author

Date: n.d.

Private healthcare is becoming more and more popular in today's world, and it is not by chance. This article reveals the many benefits that private medicine can bring to patients. All the factors listed in it make private healthcare an attractive choice for those who seek to receive high-quality and effective medical care without unnecessary worries.

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Privately operated clinics have their pros and cons. On one side, being able to skip the typical long hospital wait list and be seen within days can be extremely convenient. On the other - it comes with a cost. There are over 100 private clinics across Canada that are typically run independently by physicians/surgeons who charge patients hundreds or thousands of dollars for procedures in their facilities. These clinics are completely legal as long as they are following industry standards and comply with the Ministry's billing laws. Various procedures are performed in these clinics such as MRI scans, numerous types of surgeries, and even just regular check-ups. Despite the cost, they are becoming more popular than ever. This blog post covers why some people are choosing private clinics over healthcare covered by insurance.

Less chance of infections and complications

Unlike public hospitals, many private sector facilities don't even have overnight beds. In fact, laws in British Columbia for example, actually prohibit patients from staying at private clinics for over 24 hours. When you contrast this with hospitals who may have hundreds of patients being treated there for days at a time, you can imagine the odds of getting infections or viruses are much higher. In fact, 1 in 10 patients admitted to the hospital will get a hospital-acquired infection during their stay. Some of the most common infections range from urinary tract infections to pneumonia and meningitis. Infections like these affect how quickly patients recover from their operation which is why people may choose a private clinic. Surgeries done in private clinics are usually elective - meaning that they are planned in advance by the patient and not always necessary. This gives the clinic much more time to prepare and properly plan the procedure to avoid potential complications afterwards. Public clinics do not always have this option as many of their emergency surgeries are unplanned and performed on much shorter notice. When a procedure is rushed and the patient is unprepared, it is more common for something to go wrong.

Convenience and turnaround time

What many patients may not realize is that their physician or surgeon may also be operating their own private clinics as well as working in the public hospital. You may wait months to see your surgeon in a public hospital but you can also arrange to see them more quickly in their private clinic - for a cost. A study from the Canadian Institute for Health Information shows that only 50% of people in Ontario ages 18 and older were able to receive a knee replacement surgery less than 92 days after booking it. As waiting months for a procedure can be both extremely inconvenient and uncomfortable, private practices can provide a quicker alternative. While many surgeries in the hospital are covered by insurance, surgeons can charge hundreds or even thousands of dollars for those exact same procedures in their own clinics. The cost may be worth it for some people, when you consider that fact that you could essentially have your surgery done just days after a consultation.

The most common operations done in private clinics include one-day cataract surgery and hip and knee replacements. Some of these procedures typically take weeks to recover from and not surprisingly, many patients would prefer to recover from the comfort of their home. With the accessibility, post-operative support and quick turnaround times of private surgeons, this is now an option for some patients.

Private and personalized

Private clinics earned that name for a reason. With a much more balanced doctor to patient ratio than public facilities, patients are likely to get much more individual and personalized care. Choosing to go to a private clinic allows for more customized options to fit your needs - such as the ability to select the physician of your choice and having a more comfortable room all to yourself without having to pay extra. Of course, every clinic offers different benefits but reputation is something that matters greatly to them. Because these physicians and surgeons may not be working in a busy hospital environment with multiple patients a day, they have the ability to be more attentive to your individual needs. Many private clinics provide 24/7 support for the days following a patient's discharge in order to monitor recovery and avoid complications. Private clinics can also be more specialized than hospitals in the sense that they focus on select specific procedures. For example, websites like this will help you find private clinics near you that will specialize in different areas like audiology, cardiology, and dermatology.

When you consider the higher level of personal attention and the convenience, the higher cost of private clinics doesn't sound so bad to some people. Even though private clinics often don't take health insurance, paying the money out-of-pocket can have its benefits. Being able to skip the wait line and have your procedure done by the doctor of your choice within days is a great incentive. Private clinics can be found across the country a simple Google search can help you find one close to you that suits your individual needs.

Featured image courtesy of Remedy Pharmacy.

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Public vs. Private Hospitals - Why Go Private? - Aetonix

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Privately operated clinics have their pros and cons. On one side, being able to skip the typical long hospital wait list and be seen within days can be extremely convenient. On the other - it comes with a cost.

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Name:Rumeysa

Title:Private health care won’t reduce wait times — it may raise them, report says

Author:By Eric Stober

Time:November 3, 2023 5:17 pm

According to the report, this article talks about how the Privatization of health care in Ontario could increase wait times due to staff shortages and high costs. In 2021-2022, more than 98% of surgeries in Ontario were performed in public facilities. The report recommends improving the public system by increasing funding, staffing idle operating rooms, scheduling surgeries during off-peak hours, and increasing hospital bed capacity.

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A new report released Thursday says that privatization of health care in Ontario won't reduce wait times but may actually increase them.

That's because for-profit centres could as well face the staffing shortages that have plagued the public sector, and any talent that is attracted to the private model will in turn reduce staff in public hospitals, according to the report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.

"Increasing surgical and diagnostic capacity depends on the availability of qualified staff, which is not magically increased by the addition of profit," report author and Simon Fraser University health policy researcher Andrew Longhurst said in a statement Thursday.

"Expanded outsourcing is likely to worsen public hospital staffing shortages that cause longer waits."

The problems of creating more for-profit health care include higher costs, less staff in the public system, as well as upselling, self-referrals and unnecessary procedures, Longhurst said.

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University of Toronto health policy professor Raisa Deber told Global News that private health care differs from many other services because it is based on need, so for-profit centres could overcharge or upsell services that aren't necessary given the consumer's lack of knowledge but need for care.

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"One of the problems that you run into is that market forces don't work in health care," she said.

"People get very nervous when you start throwing for-profit into the mix because it gives absolutely the wrong incentives to the providers."

She pointed to the pharmaceutical industry as an example, where drugs can be sold for higher costs to drive profit and are still bought by consumers because they are needed.

While privatization of some services is being considered in provinces like Ontario and others due to long wait times and backlogs in the public system, the report noted that wait times in Ontario for "many priority procedures" are the shortest in Canada, such as for hip and knee replacement in 2022.

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In May, the Ontario government passed Bill 60, which encourages the growth of for-profit health care for some surgeries and imaging. Less than two per cent of surgeries in Ontario were done in for-profit facilities in 2021-2022, CCPA said.

Rather than turn to privatization, the report recommends efforts to improve the public system, "not undermine it."

"Ontario does not lack the physical space and equipment to improve wait times for surgeries and medical imaging; what is missing is the health care workforce and funding necessary to do the work," Longhurst said.

The report recommends funding and staffing underused public hospital operating rooms and performing surgeries during the evening and weekends, as well as increasing hospital bed capacity.

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Private health care won't reduce wait times - it may raise them, report says | Globalnews.ca

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A new report released Thursday says that privatization of health care in Ontario won't reduce wait times but may actually increase them.

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Name: Osman

Title: Healthcare in Canada

Date: 14 May 2009

In this interview, the interviewee Dr. Micheal Rachlis analyses Canada's medicare system and compares it with the private Medicare in the US

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Name: Mark

Title: 3 Advantages of Private Health Care

Author: C-care

Date: Mar 27, 2017

The author said that there are three points to demonstrate private health care is better than public. The first one is personalized care. The second one is assistance to family members. The last one is direct communication with Health Professionals.

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The use of private health care services continues to increase as individuals and their families realize the many benefits they provide.

These services help you address a wide range of issues related to illness, medication, emotional support, and end of life care.

Private health care services take much of the stress of caring for a loved one off of family members and friends. More importantly, they provide the essential care and comfort that patients need when overcoming a variety of health issues.

The following are 3 advantages of private health care.

1. Personalized Care
The care provided at hospitals is often constrained due to limitations related to staffing, budgets, and other resources. As a result, patients often receive generalized care that can overlook the unique needs of each patient.

Private health care services allow you to obtain the personalized care you or your loved one needs for long-term well-being. A private care provider can offer support at a level that's right for your needs.

Whether it's just a few hours each day or 24-hour care, the personalized care patients receive from a private care provider enhances their quality of living.

2. Assistance to Family Members
Some of the biggest challenges related to caring for patients are related to their loved ones. Family members and friends must often take on the difficult tasks of caring for an individual, which can cause stress and emotional upset over time.

Private health care services reduce the burden placed on others and offer the support they need to ensure that their loved ones receive the highest level of care.

These services help family members complete tasks related to feeding, bathing, and dressing patients. They also help patients achieve the mobility they need to accomplish daily tasks while giving them a sense of independence and dignity.

Private health care gives family and friends the peace of mind they need in knowing that all of the needs of their loved ones are being met when they're unable to be present.

3. Direct Communication with Health Professionals
Communicating with doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals can be difficult. Private health care providers alleviate this by creating a direct line of communication between patients and their doctors.

They monitor the well-being of patients and offer invaluable feedback to the medical professionals who make decisions related to the care options that must be considered. This also allows for quicker responses to any changes or emergencies that may arise.

Medical and nutritional needs can be easily met through the help of a private health care service provider. This improves the patient's health and can reduce the frequency of medical appointments.

These 3 advantages of private health care have resulted in the growing use of these services by patients and their families.

Understanding how private health care services can benefit you will give you the resources you need to choose the best care options for the future.

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The use of private health care services continues to increase as individuals and their families realize the many benefits they provide. These services help you address a wide range of issues related to illness, medication, emotional support, and end of life care.

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Name: Ann

Title: Public vs. private healthcare

Author: No author

Date: December 1, 2006

This article describes general information about public and private healthcare in Canada and reports the money spent on healthcare.

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Does private health care exist in Canada today?

It's a crucial part of the system.

Canada spent an estimated $142 billion on health care in 2005, or $4,411 per person, according to Health Care in Canada 2006, a report released by the Canadian Institute for Health Information. After taking inflation into account, this amounts to almost three times what was spent in 1975.

Of that, just over $98.8 billion was spent by governments delivering public health care. About $43.2 billion was spent on private health care.

What is public health care?

Depending on who you ask, it's either what defines Canada – or it's the greatest impediment to ensuring that Canadians get quick access to the kind of medical services they deserve.

Provincial Health Care Legislation

Health care legislation and its enforcement in Canada varies from province to province. Some provinces, like Nova Scotia, currently have no additional provincial legislation (for example to discourage extra billing), and follow the rules of the Canada Health Act. The province is, however, planning public consultation to develop health care legislation.

Other provinces, like British Columbia and Saskatchewan, have provincial health legislation that reinforces the Canada Health Act. This includes provisions forbidding extra billing for facilities or materials and a cap on what can be charged for services if a doctor opts out of the insured system. These rules do allow doctors to practice outside the provincial system, but often, as in BC, require them to charge the same or less than what the government would pay for the services under the insured system. The enforcement of this legislation, however, has recently come into question.

The incidence of health care providers practicing outside a provincial system is on the rise. Provinces like Quebec have seen significant growth in private, for-profit clinics. These clinics allow those who are willing to pay for services to obtain them without the usual wait times, which is in direct violation of the Canada Health Act.

Provinces such as Ontario have recently moved to strengthen the public system. Bill 8 - passed in June of 2004 - is designed to close loopholes that allow queue-jumping and extra billing, make health care providers accountable and establish an independent Ontario Health Quality Council to report on the health care system.

In reality, it's probably something in between.

Public health care is governed by the Canada Health Act. It's designed to make sure that all eligible people in the country have reasonable access to insured health services on a prepaid basis, without direct charges at the point of service.

Simply put, if you break your leg chasing the Canadian dream, you have the right to get fixed up without opening your wallet – except to pull out your provincial health insurance card.

The act is also designed to make sure that the delivery of health care is pretty consistent across the country. Ottawa has found that the best way to do that is by attaching conditions to the cash it transfers to the provinces to cover health care.

Among those conditions are that health care must be:

Portable.

Universal.

Accessible.

Free from extra charges (for insured services).

By portable, Ottawa means if you move from one province or territory to another, you won't lose your coverage. This doesn't mean you can go looking for health services in another province or country because the waiting list at home is too long for your liking. It does, however, mean that your out-of-province in-laws will be covered if they suddenly fall sick while on their annual visit.

Under the universality criterion, all insured residents of a province or territory must be entitled to the insured health services provided by the provincial or territorial health care insurance plan. Doesn't matter if you're rich or poor. You can't buy your way to the front of the line.

By accessible, the CHA means "insured persons in a province or territory have reasonable access to insured hospital, medical and surgical-dental services on uniform terms and conditions, unprecluded or unimpeded, either directly or indirectly, by charges [user charges or extra-billing] or other means [e.g., discrimination on the basis of age, health status or financial circumstances]."

What is private health care?

Anything beyond what the public system will pay for. For instance, should you have to spend some time in the hospital, the public system will cover the cost of your bed in a ward, which usually has three other patients. If you want a private room, the extra charge will come out of your pocket, unless you have extended health coverage either through your employer or through a policy you have bought yourself.

Need an ambulance ride? Expect to receive a bill. If you have extended health care coverage, your insurance company will likely pick up the tab.

Dr. Albert Schumacher, former president of the Canadian Medical Association estimates that 75 per cent of health-care services are delivered privately, but funded publicly.

"Frontline practitioners whether they're GPs or specialists by and large are not salaried. They're small hardware stores. Same thing with labs and radiology clinics ï¿½The situation we are seeing now are more services around not being funded publicly but people having to pay for them, or their insurance companies. We have sort of a passive privatization."

Most cosmetic procedures are not covered by the public system. If you're contemplating undergoing a cosmetic procedure, by the way, you might want to take a close look at your cosmetic surgeon's credentials. Almost any doctor in this country can call him/herself a cosmetic surgeon – and start operating – even if that person was not a surgeon before.

There are no regulations in Canada governing who can – or can't – perform cosmetic surgery. Most procedures are not monitored because they are done in a doctor's office.

Are there other forms of private health care?

There are a few privately-run hospitals in the country, whose services may or may not be covered by health insurance.

Shouldice Hospital in Toronto opened in 1945 – before Canadians were covered by universal health care. Dr. Edward Earle Shouldice developed a unique method of repairing hernias and demand for the services of his staff quickly spread beyond Canada's borders. The hospital remains private today. Residents of Ontario who have a valid health card are covered by the provincial health-care system for the cost of surgery. If you're from outside Ontario, you will probably need extended – private – health coverage to get reimbursed.

Several privately-run clinics have opened across the country as well, offering CT scans and MRI services. Most have contracts with their provincial governments. The idea was to take pressure off the limited resources of hospitals. The clinics are paid by the province to provide their services.

Several clinics opened in Ontario after the then former Conservative government signed contracts with four companies. The companies were allowed to provide 40 hours of testing per machine per week. Physicians associated with the clinics are paid on a fee-for-service basis by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan to read the test results for OHIP-covered patients. While the clinics are allowed to take private customers after hours, they cannot sell MRI or CT scans to anyone who walks in off the street. You have to have a doctor's referral.

The clinics operate on a for-profit basis. The Canadian Health Care Coalition argues that clinics like these lay the groundwork for a private, parallel for-profit health-care system in Canada.

"The proliferation of investor-owned private, for-profit clinics and facilities acts like a viral infection in the body of Canada's public health-care system," the coalition said in a news release following the September 2004 First Ministers Conference on health care. "The for-profit health care virus cannot exist without feeding off and damaging public bodies."

Shortly after beating the Conservatives in Ontario's 2003 election, the Liberal government promised to shut down the private clinics and buy the machines.

However, in 2006, the Conservatives were elected federally on a platform that pushed for a mix of public and private health care, provided that health care stays publicly funded and universally accessible.

There are other signs of a shift toward more private health care.

In December 2006, B.C.'s first private emergency clinic opened in Vancouver. The Urgent Care Centre plans to offer emergency care on a user-fee basis, which raises questions about how it will operate legally under the Canada Health Act.

The provincial government authorized B.C.'s Medical Services Commission to send inspectors to the clinic. Health Minister George Abbott said if they find evidence the law is being broken, the commission would seek an injunction to shut down the clinic.

As well, the Canadian Medical Association elected a new president in August 2006: Vancouver physician Dr. Brian Day, a surgeon and private clinic owner who says he wants to see more private options for health-care services that are currently public. His main opponent was Dr. Jack Burak, also from B.C. and a staunch defender of Canada's public health-care system.

What's the difference between private health care and two-tier health care?

Again, depends who you ask. Private health care exists. It broadens coverage available under the public system, which was designed to guarantee all Canadians basic health coverage. Currently, private health care does not mean that you can move to the front of the line because you can afford to pay more.

Proponents of expanding private health care to offer more health-care choices argue that if you have the means, you should be able to purchase health care services and get around unreasonably long waiting lists. They argue the public system will be maintained and that more choice does not mean one system for the rich and one for those who can't afford to pay extra.

Dr. Arnold Relman, professor emeritus of medicine and social medicine at Harvard Medical School and emeritus editor-in-chief of the New England Journal of Medicine, appeared before the Senate committee studying health care in February 2002.

He warned against relying on the market – or greater "consumer choice" – to control health-care costs and improve quality.

"While there is much to be said for making more information available to people about their health care," Relman said, "it is a fundamental misconception to imagine that sick patients can or should behave like ordinary consumers in commercial transactions, selecting the services and prices they want. Health care is totally different from most goods and services, and that's why we have medical insurance and why sick people need the professional and altruistic services of physicians and other providers."

Schumacher argues further privatization will not spell the end of medicare as we know it.

"People worry that if doctors can go private, then they're going to quit the public system. I would argue the opposite. If a doctor can take part of their practice private, they're less likely to leave because they're not tied solely to the government's fee schedule."

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Name: Lesia

Title: Pros And Cons Of Healthcare In Canada: A Closer Look

Author: Kate Piamonte

Date: 2023

This article describes the advantages and disadvantages of the healthcare system in Canada in more detail.

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To address rising healthcare costs and myriad health disparities, Canada's healthcare system was designed to provide universal healthcare coverage to all Canadian citizens. Backed by extensive health research and supported by the federal government through the Canada Health Transfer, every public health agency in Canada offers free and accessible public health care services.

However, like any other system, it has its advantages and disadvantages that must be carefully examined. From universal healthcare coverage and its adherence to national standards to its struggles like the lack of primary healthcare providers such as nurse practitioners and issues with medical equipment, it has gained attention for both its benefits and drawbacks.

In this article, Caring Support takes a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of Canada's healthcare system. We'll examine the role of the health card, and discuss the benefits and drawbacks of the system. This article also aims to tackle issues regarding medical expenses, public health insurance, medical insurance, diagnostic services, and mental health care, among others.

Overview of Healthcare in Canada

The health system implemented all over Canada is also widely known as Canadian Medicare. This is a publicly funded system that provides universal healthcare coverage to all Canadian citizens and permanent residents. The system is administered and funded by the government, with each province and territory responsible for delivering healthcare services to its residents.

In the name of health information, health promotion with such services as specialist care and rehabilitation services, an influx of health professionals, and the addressing of the overall need for health services from any general practitioner, the Canada Health Transfer was created. The total funding has been made to grow along with a three-year moving average of nominal GDP or gross domestic product, which is slated to go up by at least 3% per year.

In addition, funds of the Canada Health Transfer have sometimes been withheld when some parts of the Canada Health Act (CHA) are violated, especially those in regard to excess health expenditure and additional user charges. Health Canada makes it a point to produce an Annual Report depending on the provincial and territorial health care insurance plans fit the conditions for payment under the CHA.

How Does the Health Card Work in Canada?

Health cards are critical documents for accessing healthcare services in Canada and an essential component of Canada's healthcare system, providing universal coverage and ensuring that all Canadians have access to the medical care they need.

Having your health card is necessary, because only through can you gain access to quality medical services, including doctor visits, necessary hospital care, and some prescription medications. It ensures that people receive necessary medical treatment, regardless of their ability to pay, and promotes social equity by making healthcare accessible to all Canadians.

This means that serious conditions such as chronic disease or heart disease are included in the Health Act. However, this primarily doesn't include dental care or vision coverage.

How Do You Get a Government Health Card in Canada?

In order to get a government health card in Canada, individuals must first apply for coverage through their province or territory's health insurance plan. Generally, this coverage is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents who have lived in the province or territory for a minimum period, which is usually 3 months.

To be eligible for a Canadian health card, you must be:

1. A permanent resident of Canada.

2. An authorized refugee or protected person (refugee claimants are not eligible).

3. A non-resident who has been in Canada for at least 6 months and has applied for coverage under the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP).

4. If you meet these requirements, there are two ways to apply for your card: online or by mail. In order to apply online, visit Service Canada's website and click "Sign In." A new window will appear with instructions for logging in or registering as a new user. You will need to register using your GCKey, bank, or your provincial digital ID.

The application process involves providing personal information, such as name, address, date of birth, and proof of residency. Once approved, individuals receive a health card that they must present when accessing healthcare services.

Overview of the Canadian Healthcare System Pros and Cons

Because of the Canada Health Act, one of the more notable advantages of the system is that it ensures equal healthcare access through social assistance. Canadians can benefit from health services and comprehensive care, including preventive measures, medical treatments, and prescription drugs. The healthcare system focuses on prioritizing primary care services by keeping family physicians as gatekeepers to specialist consultations or hospital referrals. This approach encourages early intervention and reduces unnecessary hospital visits, leading to cost-effective utilization of resources.

However, some challenges need addressing regarding the social services under the Canadian healthcare system. Long waiting times for specialty consultations or non-urgent surgeries can be problematic for patients seeking timely treatment. There's also the problem of scarcity of doctors in remote areas, which poses geographical barriers to accessing healthcare services uniformly across the country. Nonetheless, ongoing efforts are being made to address these concerns and continually improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of Canada's healthcare system.

Why is Canada's Healthcare So Good? The Many Benefits of Canada's Healthcare System

The Canadian healthcare system has many benefits, which other countries do not have. These advantages have proven to be useful and helpful to Canadian citizens of all ages, races, and backgrounds. The many benefits of the system include the following:

Gives Access to Universal Healthcare Coverage

The primary benefit is access to universal healthcare coverage. With a health card, Canadians can access a range of medical services, such as doctor visits, hospital care, and prescription medications, all for gratis. The health card also ensures that Canadian citizens and other qualified individuals receive the medical treatment that they need, regardless of their ability to pay. This aspect of the healthcare system helps promote social equity and ensures that healthcare is not a privilege reserved for the wealthy.

Reduces Additional Expenses

One of the most significant benefits of Canada's healthcare system is that it reduces out-of-pocket expenses for individuals and families. With a health card, Canadians can access a wide range of medical services without having to pay significant fees or deductibles. This can be especially important for low-income families, seniors, and those with chronic medical conditions that require ongoing care. The reduced financial burden of accessing medical care can help prevent medical bankruptcies among Canadian citizens, along with other financial hardships, promoting better health outcomes and reducing stress and anxiety for patients and families.

Addresses Social Inequity

Another significant benefit is that it promotes social equity as the health card ensures that all Canadians have access to essential medical services, regardless of their income, age, or health status. This promotes a fair and just healthcare system that prioritizes the health and well-being of all citizens, rather than just those who can afford to pay for medical care.

In addition to reducing out-of-pocket expenses and promoting social equity, Canada's health card provides a range of other benefits:

Allows for more efficient healthcare system delivery, as healthcare providers can easily access patient information and medical histories.

Enables Canadians to travel and receive medical treatment in other provinces and territories without incurring additional costs.

Encourages preventative care by providing free or low-cost services, such as vaccinations and cancer screenings.

Helps track and manage public health concerns, such as disease outbreaks and epidemics.

Read More: Top Hospital Jobs for Healthcare Workers

Cons of Public Health Care: Some Disadvantages of Canada's Healthcare System

While Canada's healthcare system has provided its citizens with so much convenience and quality healthcare services, there are also some negative factors that we must consider, some of which include the waiting time, the number of healthcare practitioners, and the level of technological advancement when it comes to medical equipment.

Long Wait Time for Medical Procedures

The issue of long wait times for medical procedures is a longstanding issue within the system. Canadian citizens and other qualified individuals may have to wait for several months or even years for elective procedures, which can lead to frustration and worsening health conditions. This waiting time is definitely disadvantageous for patients who are in constant pain and discomfort, and it significantly impacts their quality of life negatively.

Shortage of Healthcare Providers

The Canadian healthcare system has also suffered from a shortage of healthcare providers such as caregivers, especially in certain areas of the country. This means that there is reduced access to care, longer wait times for available medical providers, and overworked health professionals, which significantly impacts the quality of care that patients receive. To address this, an influx of qualified, skilled, and highly-trained healthcare professionals is needed, which is what Caring Support does.

Lack of Investment in Medical Technology

Lastly, there's also been a lack of investment in cutting-edge medical technology and treatments as a direct effect of the system's focus on providing basic health care for all Canadians. The lack of funding and investment in advanced medical technology and treatments can lead to reduced access to specialized care and even cause worsened health conditions or deaths among patients, which is not something that should be swept under the rug.

To address this issue, the Canadian government has made efforts to increase funding for new medical technologies and treatments for the benefit of Canadian citizens and other qualified individuals. Even if a lot is yet to be done in order to ensure that Canadians have access to the best medical treatments and equipment.

Which Province Has the Best Healthcare System?

There is no clear answer to which province in Canada has the best healthcare system, as each province and territory has its strengths and weaknesses. However, some studies suggest that British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec have the best overall healthcare systems, while Nunavut and the Northwest Territories have the most significant challenges.

Read More: What Are The Best Hospitals And Clinics In Ottawa?

Comparing Canada's Healthcare System to Other Countries

When comparing Canada's healthcare system to those of other countries, there are both similarities and differences. Like Canada, many other developed countries have universal healthcare coverage, funded by the government.

However, Canada's healthcare system is unique in its structure and delivery of services. Unlike some other countries, Canada's healthcare system is decentralized, with each province and territory responsible for administering healthcare services. This approach can lead to some variability in the quality and availability of care across the country.

The Future of Canada's Healthcare

While the system has served Canadians well for decades, there are growing concerns about its sustainability and effectiveness. The aging population, changing demographics, and rising healthcare costs are all putting pressure on the system, which could lead to reduced access to care and longer wait times in the coming years.

To address these challenges, the government has made significant investments in healthcare, such as hiring more healthcare providers, increasing funding for new technologies and treatments, and focusing on preventative care. Additionally, some experts have suggested that the healthcare system should move towards more integrated and patient-centred care, which could help reduce wait times and improve outcomes.

However, there are still significant challenges to be addressed, including improving access to care in rural and remote areas, addressing the shortage of healthcare providers, and reducing wait times for some medical procedures.

How Caring Support Helps the System

By streamlining the hiring process and helping healthcare organizations find qualified candidates, Caring Support could help reduce wait times, improve access to care, and promote better health outcomes for Canadians. Additionally, the platform could help address the issue of social equity in healthcare by providing equal opportunities for healthcare workers from diverse backgrounds to connect with healthcare organizations.

Overall, Canada's healthcare system will be successful if the government can balance funding and efficiency with providing quality care. A significant improvement in the efficiency and effectiveness of the Canadian healthcare system could come from Caring Support, making it easier for healthcare organizations to hire qualified candidates and ensuring that all Canadians have access to quality healthcare.

Find Your Dream Job Today at Caring Support

Canada's healthcare system has its fair share of both advantages and disadvantages. While the system provides universal coverage and high-quality care, it also faces significant challenges, such as long wait times and rising healthcare costs. However, the government is taking steps to address these challenges by investing in healthcare, focusing on preventative care, and exploring new approaches to patient-centred care. Additionally, Canada's healthcare system can serve as a model for other countries, highlighting the benefits of universal coverage and public funding.

As Canada's population continues to age and demographics shift, it will be critical to continue improving the healthcare system and ensuring that all Canadians have access to high-quality care, regardless of where they live or their ability to pay. Ultimately, the success of Canada's healthcare system will depend on a delicate balance of funding, efficiency, and access to care, but with continued investment and attention to these critical areas, Canada's healthcare system has the potential to remain a world leader in providing universal coverage and high-quality care for all.

It's time-consuming to find an employee who fits all the conditions for a healthcare position as much as it's difficult to access all the possible healthcare employers for professionals to be able to serve their patients effectively. Caring Support bridges the gap between the need for qualified healthcare professionals and trusted and reputable healthcare institutions in service of all Canadians and qualified individuals who benefit from the healthcare system.

If you work in healthcare, hundreds of thousands of opportunities are waiting for you. Your dream job is just a tap and click away. Create your account or log in to the official Caring Support website today and download the app to gain access to endless healthcare employment opportunities. Find out more on how to land your dream job and connect with a trusted healthcare employer at Caring Support today.

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canadian healthcare system pros and cons

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Pros and Cons of Healthcare in Canada: A Closer Look | Caring Support

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Why is Canada's healthcare system so good? Learn about the pros and cons of the Canadian healthcare system in our latest blog.

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Name: Yipeng (Evan)

Title: Do I Need Private Health Insurance?

Author: Jessica Mudditt

Time: June 28, 2023

Firstly, this article explains that due to the COVID-19 epidemic, more and more people are choose private health insurance. Secondly, it introduces the benefits of private health insurance and the types of Private health insurance policies. Finally, it gives some suggestions on how to choose health insurance.

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Australia has one of the world's best public health care systems, yet more than half of all Australians choose to take out private health insurance.

The number of people with private health insurance has risen to a record high since the Covid-19 pandemic began in 2020. A total 55% of Australians now have cover, according to March 2023 data from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA). This is to avoid extra-long wait times for non-life-threatening procedures following a two-year pause on elective surgeries during the pandemic.

Other benefits of private health insurance include being able to select the hospital and specialist of your choice, and being able to avoid paying for treatments that are not covered by Medicare, the national public health scheme. There are also tax incentives in place.

Health Insurance in Australia Explained

In Australia, the national Medicare scheme covers the entire or partial costs of treatment for a public patient. In some cases, such as dentistry, treatment is not covered by the public Medicare system, so the public patient must pay 100% of the bill.

By contrast, a patient with private health insurance pays a monthly premium and has part or all of their medical treatment reimbursed by their insurance fund.

One of the standout aspects of Australia's health insurance system is its fairness. It is ranked first among OECD nations for equity and healthcare outcomes. This includes equal access to care, regardless of income levels. Anyone with a medical emergency will be treated at the closest public hospital, as they have bigger emergency departments than private hospitals.

"In Australia, you do not need private health insurance for emergencies and accidents because it has excellent hospitals to take care of you," says CHOICE health insurance expert Uta Mihm.

In the United States, losing a job can mean losing access to medical treatment, as health insurance is often part of the salary package. The United States does not have a system of universal healthcare and a significant proportion of its population do not have private health insurance. A quarter of Americans had recently delayed medical treatment for a serious illness due to being unable to pay for it, according to a 2019 Gallup poll.

Benefits of Private Health Insurance

There are several reasons why so many Australians opt for private health insurance despite being able to rely on an adequate public healthcare system.

No Waiting in Lengthy Queues

Having private health insurance means receiving treatment more quickly for non-life-threatening procedures. Wait times have doubled since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, because elective surgeries were cancelled for two years in order to divert health care resources to the COVID-19 response. In March 2022, elective surgery resumed; however, the backlog is substantial.

"At the moment, people are opting for private insurance to avoid unprecedented public hospital wait lists," says Kate Hoskin, the founder of Patient Advocacy Plus.

"People have literally been waiting years for elective surgery. Many endure chronic pain while they wait."

Being able to have a surgical procedure more quickly is the main reason why people take out private health insurance, says Mihm.

"Many people take out private health insurance because they know that they will require surgery for a health issue," she says.

"Surgery is considered 'elective' if it isn't immediately life-threatening, but to wait a year for something like a hip replacement can leave a person with greatly impaired mobility."

Government Rules: The Carrot and Stick Approach

"The Australian government partially funds our national healthcare system by charging taxpayers a levy on top of their annual income tax. That is the Medicare levy," says Pina Sciarrone, CEO and Managing Director of AIA Financial Wellbeing.

For most eligible taxpayers, the Medicare Levy is currently charged at 2% of their taxable income.

The government also has tax incentives in place to encourage maximum take-up of private health insurance. This eases the burden on the public healthcare system.

Those who earn more than $90,000 as a single person or more than $180,000 as a couple or family per year will need to pay the Medicare levy surcharge if they don't take out private health insurance. This is the 'stick' approach.

The cost of basic hospital insurance is likely to be less than the tax-so it makes sense for higher income earners to have private health insurance.

To avoid the surcharge, the government stipulates that singles must have an excess of $750 or less on their policy, and couples or families need to have an excess of $1,500 or less.

There is also a 'carrot' approach: the private health insurance rebate. At the end of the financial year, the government contributes a portion of the cost of your private health insurance premiums.

The rebate is income tested and it decreases as income rises. In 2023, a single person who earned more than $140,000 was not eligible for a rebate, and a couple or family who earned more than $280,000 were also not eligible.

Downfalls of Private Health Insurance

Private health insurance can provide peace of mind, however half of all policy holders in Australia are not confident they understand what their policy covers, and only 1 in 4 people found it easy to compare policies according to a survey by the Consumers Health Forum.

Paying for unnecessary extras or not realising that there are applicable exclusions result in dissatisfaction when the time comes to make a claim. The survey found that one in five policy holders had a claim denied and overall satisfaction with the purchased policy was at only 38%.

Cost of Private Health Insurance in Australia

The cost of private health insurance depends on the fund, the policy, the number of people covered by the policy, and the state you live in.

Your age is also a factor. The private health loading is designed to encourage people to take out hospital cover sooner rather than later. If you have not taken out and maintained private patient hospital cover from the age of 31, you will pay a 2% lifetime health cover (LHC) loading on top of your premium for every year you lack cover.

How to Compare Private Health Insurance Policies

Private health insurance policies are divided into three types: extras only, hospital only and hospital and extra.

Extras are treatments such as dental, optical and physiotherapy that are not typically subsidised through Medicare. Having a policy for extras can reduce the amount you would pay if you did not have private health insurance.

Hospital cover is available in four different tiers: Gold, Silver, Bronze and Basic. A policy with hospital cover helps with the costs of treatment as a private patient in hospital. This is the policy required to avoid paying the government's Medicare levy surcharge.

It's important to compare the specific benefits that each policy offers, says Pina Sciarrone, CEO and Managing Director of AIA Financial Wellbeing.

"For example, some may offer extras such as dental and optical cover, while others may offer more comprehensive hospital cover. You should also consider the reputation of the insurer, as well as their customer service record."

The following factors should be considered when choosing a private health insurance policy, according to Sciarrone.

The level of cover you need;

The cost of the policy;

The excess you will need to pay if you make a claim;

The waiting periods for different treatments;

Additional benefits, such as physical and mental wellbeing programs; and

The restrictions and exclusions that apply to the policy.

So, Do I Need Private Health Insurance?

Whether you need private health insurance depends on your personal circumstances. If you have a health condition or you are getting older, having private health insurance offers peace of mind and financial benefits.

For most people under the age of 30, it is not necessary to take out private health insurance-although you will receive a discount if you do buy a policy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is private health insurance necessary in Australia?

Private health insurance is not necessary for the treatment of accidents and emergencies, because patients receive free treatment under Medicare at Australia's world class hospitals.

However, if you require a non-life-threatening procedure, such as a hip replacement, there are benefits to having private health insurance. You will be treated more quickly at a facility of your choice.

The government provides financial incentives to ensure that those who can afford private health insurance have basic cover, as this relieves pressure on the public health system. In some cases, it is cheaper to have private health insurance than it is not to have it-because you will incur a Medicare levy if you earn over a certain amount and do not have a private health insurance policy.

Is health insurance expensive?

The cost of private health insurance depends on the fund, the policy, the number of people covered by the policy and the state you live in. It is worthwhile to shop around on a regular basis.

"Check your policy every year to make sure you still have the best deal, and that you are covered for everything you need and are not paying for anything you don't need," adds CHOICE health insurance expert Uta Mihm.

Some of the best value for money policies are available from restricted membership funds for industries such as teachers, police and emergency services, says Mihm.

Do my kids need health insurance?

Australia's public health system has exceptionally high standards of paediatric services, which means that private health insurance is not necessary for children, says Hoskin.

"The main benefit for having private cover for your kids would be to expedite wait times on simple surgeries like tonsillectomy," she says.

Always check the fine print of what the policy covers for children.

However, if you have private health insurance, it makes sense to cover your children too - because it is free. For children under the age of 21 in a two-parent household, private health insurance comes at no extra cost for the children under the parents' plan. Cover is also available for single parents as a specific policy.

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Whether you need private health insurance depends on your personal circumstances, but this guide can help you decide if the benefits are worth it for you.

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Name: Lusa

Title: Exploring Private Healthcare in Canada: Benefits and Impact on Public Health System

Author: Agora Health

Date: November 13, 2023

This article outlines the current state of healthcare in Canada and shows various potential benefits from the private healthcare system. There are some challenges in the current state of Canada’s healthcare system after the COVID pandemic such as the shortage of healthcare workers, long wait times, a lack of primary care providers and increasing needs of an aging population. As a result, more and more people are choosing to use private healthcare to address their medical needs. Here are some of the main advantages of the private healthcare system. The first comfort is reducing wait times, which can be especially beneficial for those with chronic illnesses. The second reason is that personalized care, that means doctors often spend more time with their patients and have more discussions about health concerns. Another benefit is that private healthcare can provide more comfortable and convenient treatment such as private practices, telemedicine or at-home care. Furthermore, private healthcare providers often have more experts who have experiences and knowledge and have previously worked in public hospital settings. Finally, private healthcare systems particularly one funded by a not-for-profit can relieve the overburdened public system. However, important issues that need attention are high costs, equity and sustainability.

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Current Healthcare Challenges in Canada

Having spent over two decades navigating the intricacies of global healthcare, I've witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of private sector involvement in public healthcare systems. In countries like the UK, Australia, and Singapore, strategic privatization has led to enhanced efficiencies, innovation, and patient care.
The current state of Canada's public healthcare system
The current state of Canada's public healthcare system reflects a blend of resilience and challenges. This system, historically a source of pride for the nation, has been under significant strain, particularly due to the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and a growing population.

Impact of COVID-19 and Population Growth:

The pandemic, along with population growth, has put considerable pressure on the healthcare system. In response, the Canadian Government and provincial/territorial governments have agreed to work together to enhance healthcare across four priority areas, including primary health care, resilient health systems, mental health and substance use, and secure sharing of electronic health information. They also plan to report annually on their progress​​.

Healthcare Worker Shortage:

A significant challenge is the shortage of healthcare workers, driven partly by burnout and attrition. This shortage has affected hospitals, clinics, and primary care resources, with the vacancy rate in the health and social services sector reaching 5.7% as of November​​.

Hospital Crisis and Wait Times:

Hospitals have faced a surge in respiratory illnesses, leading to prolonged wait times in emergency departments and inadequate availability of staffed beds. This situation has sometimes resulted in severe outcomes for patients who did not receive timely care​​.

Primary Care Provider Shortage:

Approximately 22% of Canadians lack a regular family doctor or nurse practitioner. This shortage means that many health issues may not be detected early, leading people to rely on walk-in clinics or emergency rooms for their healthcare needs​​.

Needs of an Aging Population:

The system has struggled to meet the growing healthcare needs of an aging population. In Ontario, for example, a fifth of hospital beds are often occupied by patients who do not require hospitalization but are awaiting transfer to long-term care facilities or home care. The lack of sufficient resources in home care and long-term care facilities exacerbates this issue​​.

Overall, Canada's public healthcare system is grappling with a range of challenges, from staffing shortages to the pressures of an aging population, all of which require concerted efforts and innovative solutions to ensure the system's sustainability and effectiveness.

How Privatized Healthcare can Public Healthcare

Introducing private healthcare alongside Canada's existing public system could potentially offer several benefits, but it also raises concerns about the impact on the core values of the existing system.

1. Reduced Wait Times: One of the main advantages of private healthcare is the potential to reduce wait times. In Canada's public healthcare system, patients often experience long waits for appointments with primary care providers, leading many to turn to private healthcare for quicker access​​. This can be especially beneficial for those with chronic illnesses, where delayed treatment can significantly affect their quality of life and ability to perform day-to-day tasks​​.

2. Personalized Care: Private healthcare practitioners often spend more time with their patients compared to traditional practices, offering more personalized care. This allows for a more thorough discussion of health concerns, fostering a stronger patient-provider relationship, and can lead to more tailored treatment plans​​.

3. Comfort and Convenience: Private healthcare can provide a more comfortable and convenient treatment setting, such as private practices, telemedicine, or at-home care. This is particularly appealing to those who feel uncomfortable or fear exposure to pathogens in hospital settings​​.

4. Skill and Expertise: Private healthcare providers often have extensive experience and knowledge, having worked in hospital settings. This expertise enables them to offer a wide range of care services, from diagnosing and treating various conditions to managing chronic illnesses and providing health counseling​​.

5. Relieving Public System Stress: The introduction of a private healthcare system, particularly one funded by a not-for-profit, regulated insurance scheme, could relieve the overburdened public system. This approach might maintain the quality of care in the public system without diminishing it​​.

However, it's important to note that private healthcare financing (including private for-profit insurance and private out-of-pocket financing) has been found to negatively affect the universality, equity, accessibility, and quality of care in healthcare systems. Increased private financing has not been associated with improved health outcomes or reduced health expenditure growth. Thus, it may not be a comprehensive solution for improving the quality or sustainability of healthcare​​.

In summary, while private healthcare could offer some benefits like reduced wait times and personalized care, its integration with the public system must be carefully considered to ensure it does not undermine the fundamental values of universality and accessibility in Canadian healthcare.

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Exploring Private Healthcare in Canada: Benefits and Impact on Public Health System

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Having spent over two decades navigating the intricacies of global healthcare, I've witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of private sector involvement in public healthcare systems. In countries like the UK, Australia, and Singapore, strategic privatization has led to enhanced efficiencies, innovation, and patient care.

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Name: Fardous

Title: Pro-public health care

Author: CDN Health Coalition

Year: 2021

This article encourages people living in Canada to participate in a campaign to support and protect public health system from eroding away, in order to do that this article explain why public health system is better than private, in addition to that it gives some examples of private practices and clarify its negative impact on patients .

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"Some have described it as a perversion of Canadian values that they cannot use their money to purchase faster treatment from a private provider for their loved ones. I believe it is a far greater perversion of Canadian values to accept a system where money, rather than need, determines who gets access to care." -Roy Romanow, from the final report of the Royal Commission on the Future of Health Care (2002)
Overview

Canadians share a deeply held belief that access to health care should be based on need, not on the ability to pay. The values of equity and fairness are rooted in our health care system. We feel strongly that patients should come before profits.

But our public health care system is under threat from increased privatization. For-profit medical clinics are billing patients for services that should be covered by public health insurance. Services like physiotherapy, MRIs and CT scans, which were once covered by public health insurance, are being taken out of public hospitals and run privately.

Many important health care services aren't covered by public health insurance. For example, people often pay out-of-pocket for prescription medication, dental care, vision care and mental health services.

Private health care takes medical staff and resources away from the public system. This results in longer wait times for the majority of patients. Private health care is only accessible to those who can afford it. It allows the wealthy to jump to the front of the line while others have to wait to receive care. Private clinics also often deliver poorer quality care.

The federal government must take a leadership role and ensure that our health care system remains public and accessible to all.

The issue in detail

The federal government and the provinces share jurisdiction over health care. The federal government delivers health care to certain groups including refugees, First Nations and veterans. It also gives health care funding to the provinces. To access this funding, the provinces must meet the criteria in the Canada Health Act. They must ensure that health care is publicly administered, universal, comprehensive, accessible and portable.

The Canada Health Act also prevents patients from being billed for services that should be covered by public health insurance. Public insurance must cover medically necessary services provided by doctors and hospitals. If provinces don't meet these requirements, the federal government can withhold funding for health care.

Many of the provinces aren't respecting the Canada Health Act. For example, in 2016 Saskatchewan passed a law allowing patients to jump the queue by paying out of pocket for diagnostic tests like MRIs and ultrasounds. Patients in Ontario are being billed thousands of dollars for cataract surgeries, often experiencing financial hardship as a result. Private health care clinics in Alberta and elsewhere are charging fees for memberships and services. The federal government has been slow to address these violations of the Canada Health Act.

A lawsuit in British Columbia is putting our public health care system in jeopardy. The owner of a private, for-profit medical clinic is claiming the right to bill patients and the public system at the same time. He wants to charge patients as much as the market will bear. If he wins, he'll open the floodgates to a US-style private health care system. Wealthy patients will be able to jump to the front of the line by paying for medical services, while others won't be able to afford health care.

Private, for-profit medical clinics are focused on making money for their shareholders. To maximize profits, they only accept the healthiest and wealthiest patients, often refusing services to the elderly or those with chronic conditions. If patients get sick or complications arise, they are sent to the public health care system so that private clinics don't lose money.

Those who can afford private, for-profit treatment may not be getting better care. In Canada, for-profit MRI and CT clinics have been found to order more tests that aren't medically necessary and have lower-quality images.

Many governments are partnering with private companies to build and operate hospitals and clinics. In the short-term, these public-private partnerships (P3s) mean the government doesn't have to pay the full cost of building new facilities. But in the long-run, P3s cost the public more money because we end up paying private companies to rent our medical facilities. P3s are privately owned and managed but paid for by the public. Multiple studies have shown that they are more expensive and often inefficient. For example, a hospital that was recently built in Brampton, Ontario through a P3 cost almost double the planned amount and had 25% fewer beds than were promised.

New areas of privatization keep creeping in. For instance, a private company has started paying people for their plasma in Saskatoon and Moncton. Plasma is the first body part that's being sold in Canada. This company is taking donors away from our public blood collection system. This poses a risk to the security of our blood supply.

Our public health care system is slowly being eroded away. We must come together to protect and defend it from privatization and greed.

The CHC is calling for:

The federal government to enforce the Canada Health Act by withholding federal funding if the provinces allow extra billing and user fees

Opposition to a private, for-profit health care system

Take action

Watch our video on how privatization increases wait times in the public system.

Further reading

Public Health Care: We've Got This (Canadian Health Coalition, 2019)

For-Profit Healthcare (Canadian Health Coalition, 2019)

Private Clinics and the Threat to Public Medicare in Canada (Ontario Health Coalition, 2017) Click here for the Executive Summary

Blurred Lines: Private Membership Clinics and Public Health Care (Parkland Institute, 2017)

Cambie Corp. Goes to Court: The Legal Assault on Universal Health Care (CCPA, 2015)

Delivery Matters: The Impacts of For-profit Ownership in Long-term Care (Parkland Institute, 2012)

Eroding Public Medicare: Update on For-Profit Healthcare in BC (BC Health Coalition, 2010)

Eroding Public Medicare: Lessons and Consequences of For-Profit Health Care Across Canada (Ontario Health Coalition, 2008)

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Many of the provinces aren't respecting the Canada Health Act

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Name:Hurston

Title: Would more privatization in Canadian health care solve the current crisis?

Author:Adam Miller,Benjamin Shingler

Date:Aug 20,2022

Hi, everyone.This article talks about a big problem in Canada's healthcare system – not having enough staff. Some people think making more parts of healthcare private could help, but others say it's not that simple. The article mentions a plan in Ontario to do more surgeries at private clinics using public money. People argue if this is a good idea or not, with some thinking it could ease pressure on public healthcare and others worrying it might cause issues. It also talks about how the pandemic made things worse, with fewer surgeries and difficulty getting medical care. The article shares different opinions on whether more private healthcare is a good solution or if it's better to improve the public system.

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This is an excerpt from Second Opinion, a weekly analysis of health and medical science news. If you haven't subscribed yet, you can do that by clicking here.
The current staffing crisis in health care has reignited debate over privatization of the Canadian system - and while more needs to be done to take the pressure off hospitals, critics say more private care is not a "simple solution."

This week, Ontario Health Minister Sylvia Jones revealed a plan to help stabilize the province's health-care system that included increasing the number of publicly funded surgeries performed at existing private clinics, though she declined to provide details on which specific facilities would be involved or which surgeries would be covered.

"Health care will continue to be provided to the people of Ontario through the use of your OHIP card," she said at a news conference ​​Thursday, declining to answer a question about whether she would consider allowing more private clinics in the province.

Depending on who you ask, increased privatization is either a growing threat or a possible solution to the staffing crisis being felt across the country.

Yet for-profit clinics for surgeries and other medical practices have existed to varying degrees across Canada for decades, and commercial agencies have been quietly filling staffing shortages during the pandemic - at a growing cost to hospitals and taxpayers.

Proponents argue some privatization would take pressure off the public system and better triage care, while those opposed worry it would siphon off resources and increase inequity among Canadians.

"Right now, we find ourselves in a really challenging situation, because the health-care system is currently not functioning well - and I think that's becoming more apparent day by day," said Dr. Katharine Smart, president of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA).

"Privatization always is one of the things that people bring up in that conversation," she said. "But I think what we really need to be considering is how would that actually improve service delivery for Canadians, to suddenly have a private, for-profit model?"

Private clinics aim to fill gaps in care

Canada is facing a critical shortage of family doctors, with millions of Canadians without access to primary care because of retiring physicians and fewer medical school grads choosing the specialty due to a lack of resources and high overhead costs.

The pandemic has also exacerbated a lack of access to emergency care and increased wait times for surgery, with close to 600,000 fewer surgeries performed between March 2020 and December 2021, compared to 2019, according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI).
WATCH | What's behind the shortage of family doctors in Canada?
Almost half of adults across Canada's 10 provinces had difficulty accessing health care in 2020 and 2021, while close to 15 per cent said they didn't receive the care they needed at all, according to a 2021 survey from Statistics Canada.

Private clinics have moved in to try to fill that gap in some provinces, including and Nova Scotia. Others are pushing back against the notion of offering more private health care.

In British Columbia, the province's highest court recently upheld a lower court's dismissal of a Vancouver surgeon's challenge of the Medicare Protection Act, ruling that bans on extra billing and private insurance do not violate charter rights.

As it stands, Canada's health-care spending is divided between the public and private sector at roughly a 75-25 split, and at a cost of about $6,666 per Canadian, according to CIHI. Private health-care services are paid for by patients primarily out of pocket, as well as through private insurance.

The country was projected to spend more than $300 billion on health care in 2021, which represents nearly 13 per cent of the GDP. That puts Canada roughly on par with other wealthy countries. (The United States spends the most on health care of any country in the OECD.)

Dr. Adam Hofmann is owner of Algomed, which has private clinics in Quebec and Nova Scotia, where it charges clients a subscription fee of $22 per month out of pocket, plus $20 per visit. Hofmann said while he was once a staunch defender of a publicly funded health-care system, he now believes private clinics are part of the solution.

"A large number of patients that end up in the emergency room are there for conditions that can be treated or prevented in an outpatient primary care clinic," he told . "And these patients almost universally don't have access to primary care."

These kinds of private options should be explored on a broader scale as Canada seeks to solve its health-care challenges, said Janice MacKinnon, a professor of public policy at the University of Saskatchewan and a former provincial finance minister.

"We have to do everything we can to make the system more effective, more cost effective, and more accessible to people," she told The House, adding that other countries, particularly in Europe, have developed models where both public and private systems can co-exist.

"No government is saying: We don't want to fix the public system, we want to create a separate one. They're saying we need to fix the public system and we see private options as a way to do that."

Privatization 'not a simple solution'

Colleen Flood, a research chair in health law and policy and professor at the University of Ottawa, has looked at health-care systems around the world and she says private care tends to make access more difficult for low-income residents.

Flood described privatization as a "zombie solution" that we "pull out all the time, instead of focusing on how to fix the public health-care system."

"It's not a simple solution," she said. "Countries that have public-private systems, they spend a lot of time trying to figure out how to regulate the private [sector] so that it doesn't absorb all the resources from the public health-care system."

In general, she explained, private clinics tend to target less complicated procedures - such as knee and hip surgeries - but the public system is still relied upon for emergency services and complex treatments for conditions like cancer and heart disease.

"So you are diverting labour ... not only to the relatively small percentage of the population that can pay for that or have private insurance," she said, "but you're also diverting them from really important care."

Ontario's plan to fund private clinics with public money could potentially be a more efficient way to provide service, depending on the cost, which is ultimately footed by taxpayers, said Maude Laberge, a professor in health economics at Laval University in Quebec City.

"That's a negotiation aspect between the government and those clinics," she said. "As long as the patient doesn't have to pay.... If a clinic can do something really well - as well as it's done in the hospital or in the public - then there's no problem with having such private, specialized clinics. If the patient has to pay, then it brings equity issues."

Hiring staff from private temp agencies hasn't seemed to solve the crisis in Ontario, where some hospitals have paid millions more to such firms to help staff intensive care units and emergency rooms, at an hourly rate more than double that of unionized nurses, as first reported by the Toronto Star this week.
WATCH | Critics sound alarm over Ontario's reliance on private nursing agencies:
"Where's the stewardship for our tax dollars?" said Dr. Michael Warner, critical care medical director at Toronto's Michael Garron Hospital. "And then what is that money not being spent on because it's being spent on nurses?"

Toronto's University Health Network (UHN) spent just over $1 million to hire nurses from various agencies in 2018 - but that increased to more than $6.7 million in 2022 alone, more than $4 million of which was tied to hiring private nurses to work in its ICUs.

"What we've seen during COVID is that these agencies are charging much more, and I'm not sure where their money is coming from, but hospitals are paying much higher hourly rates," said Warner. "What they've done during the pandemic has been predatory and exploitative."

Transforming the public system?

Those in favour of privatization say the Canadian health-care system desperately needs to be open to new ideas, with Jones, Ontario's health minister, saying last week that Ontarians should not be afraid of "innovation."

But critics say there is little evidence to suggest the situation is improving with the private services we already have -despite costing considerably more - or that more of it will help.

"While there may be ways to improve the system, for sure, with innovation ... we have to be clear on what exactly that we're privatizing and how that's going to cost less and deliver better outcomes," Warner said.

"It makes more sense to transform the public system than to nibble around the edges with private health care."

The CMA's Smart said previous examples of private companies delivering health care in Canada "skim off the easiest, most simplistic" areas and fall short of developing an ongoing, meaningful relationship between the patient and doctor.

"It doesn't do anything for patients who have chronic and complex needs; it doesn't do anything for patients who may be having challenges because of social determinants of health," she said. "Those people are left behind, for an under-resourced public system."

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Would more privatization in Canadian health care solve the current crisis? | CBC News

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The current staffing crisis has reignited debate over privatization of the Canadian health-care system, but while more needs to be done to take the pressure off hospitals, critics say more private care is not a "simple solution" to the problem.

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Name: Bosco

Title: Healthcare – Private vs public sector

Author: Tejvan Pettinger

Date: 2019

This articles tries to show advantages and disadvantages of these both services health care. It show that private health tries to be more efficient and public health care tries to make everyone equal.

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A look at some arguments for and against public/private healthcare provision.

Should healthcare be left to the free market or should the government provide universal healthcare?

Arguments for Public Health Care

Healthcare is not a profit maximising industry. Doctors and nurses don't need financial incentives to do a good job but are motivated by aims of patient care and job satisfaction.

Healthcare doesn't work as a free market. Patients tend to trust diagnosis of the doctor. They don't go shopping around for best or cheapest health care. Trying to introduce competition in healthcare is fruitless because in practice patients are not in a position to shop around choosing between different doctors. In healthcare, consumer sovereignty doesn't apply to other markets.

Public healthcare provision means everyone has access to this important public service. Left to the free market, there would be some who don't have private healthcare insurance and would suffer.

Health care is a merit good. People may underestimate the importance of going to doctor for a check-up. This could lead to some diseases being left unchecked and becoming more serious and difficult to treat.

Private healthcare and government subsidies for poor and elderly mean very high administration costs.

Private healthcare insurance firms make large profit meaning more expensive health care for countries like the US, who have private provision.

The problem of adverse selection. The problem with the private provision is that people who are likely to be unhealthy will have greatest desire to purchase healthcare insurance. This raises insurance premiums. However, young healthy people will then be discouraged from buying relatively more expensive insurance; therefore many young people will not take out insurance - meaning insurers are left with a higher percentage of unhealthy people. This problem of adverse selection requires some kind of government intervention to reduce average premiums and make sure young healthy people do not neglect to take out health insurance.

When health care is paid for by private insurance. There is actually less mechanism for evaluating the cost/benefit of different treatments. Doctors are happy to prescribe expensive treatments, which may do little to help because the bill is paid for by insurance companies. In the public sector, there is a discipline of sticking within budgets and rationing health care to where it is needed most.

Arguments for Private Health Care

Gives people greater choice.

Not limited by public budget which may limit access to expensive treatments

Private healthcare firms may have efficiency incentives to provide better service than government bodies.

With an ageing population and increased range of treatments, demand for health care is rising faster than economic growth. This means that governments are having to spend a higher % of government spending on healthcare - but are still struggling to keep up with expectations. A greater role for the private sector enables health care providers to keep up and reduce the burden on government spending - enabling lower tax rates.

Reluctance to increase taxes to pay for healthcare. The NHS has the difficulty of rising demand, but limited willingness to increase taxes to pay for it. Increasing role of the private sector can fill the gap.

Government services can become bureaucratic and experience diseconomies of scale. Arguably the NHS is over-staffed with too many administrators. Private health care can avoid these tendencies to bureaucratic inefficiency.

Examples US and the UK

UK Healthcare spending as % of GDP rose from 4.5% in 1990 to just under 8% in 2010.

This reflects a global trend to higher healthcare spending.

Source: Kings Fund Rising health care spending is a global phenomenon.

US healthcare costs

The US healthcare has a strong element of private provision - with private insurance complemented by government programmes like Medicaid and Medicare. There is no universal right to healthcare.

The US has the highest per capita expenditure on healthcare, but still, some people don't have proper access.
Related

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A look at some arguments for and against public/private healthcare provision. Should healthcare be left to the free market or should the government provide universal healthcare? Healthcare is not a profit maximising industry. Doctors and nurses don't need financial incentives to do a good job but are motivated by aims of patient care and job satisfaction.

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Name: Idil

Title: How Beneficial Is Private Health Care?

Author:No author

Date:2023

This blog post outlines the benefits private healthcare in Ontario. It emphasizes increased choice in providers, access to better facilities, and shorter wait times as key advantages. Ultimately, it suggests that individuals should consider their own needs and preferences when deciding between public and private healthcare options.

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When it comes to healthcare, there are a lot of moving from public to private health care agencies in Ontario to consider. You have public healthcare, which is government-funded and -provided. And then you have private health care, which is insurance-based and -provided. Both have their pros and cons, but in this blog post, we want to focus on the benefits of private healthcare.
1. You Have More Choice in Providers
With private healthcare, you have a lot more choice in terms of who provides your care. With public healthcare, you're generally assigned to a GP or hospital in your local area. But with private healthcare, you can choose from a larger pool of providers. This means you can find nursing agencies in Ontario that better suit your needs and preferences.
2. You Can Get Access to Better Facilities
Private nursing agencies in Ontario are often better stocked and more up-to-date than public healthcare facilities. This is because private healthcare providers have the funding to invest in better facilities and equipment. As a result, you can get access to better quality care when you go through a private healthcare provider.
3. Shorter Wait Times
One of the biggest complaints about public healthcare is the long wait times. But with private healthcare, you generally don't have to worry about that. This is because private healthcare providers are not as bogged down by bureaucracy as public healthcare providers are. As a result, you can get seen and treated faster when you go through a private healthcare agency in Ontario.
4. Increased Access to Treatment
One of the main arguments in favor of private healthcare is that it provides increased access to treatment. This is because in most countries, the public healthcare system is struggling to keep up with demand. By being able to pay for private healthcare, patients can get the treatment they need without having to wait weeks or months.

Conclusion:

Private healthcare definitely has its benefits over public healthcare. But at the end of the day, it's up to each individual to decide what's best for them and their families. If you're looking for more choice in providers, shorter wait times, and better facilities, then private healthcare might be the way to go for you.

If you're looking for more choice in healthcare providers, private health care is the way to go.
Contact Global Health for All today to learn more about private health care and how we can help you find the right provider for your needs.

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How Beneficial Is Private Health Care? - Global Health For All Inc.

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Looking for more choices in healthcare providers, private healthcare is the way to go, This blog discusses how Beneficial Is Private Health Care.

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Name: Janet
Title: Public vs. Private Health Care: An Overview
Source: Canadian Points of View (Humber Library)
Year: 2018

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Use of Humber Libraries’ eResources are limited to current students, faculty and staff and are only licensed for the academic and teaching purposes of the institution’s programs. Content from these vendor sources cannot be made available, in any form, to individuals, businesses or organizations outs…