How Does the Health Insurance System Work in the US?

The Canadian government pays into these plans, but each territory and province is responsible for taking this money to create their own system under the guidelines set forth by Canadian Health Act (CHA).įor example, all “necessary” health services – like surgical dentistry, hospitals, and doctors – must be insured by the public plan. Meaning Canadian healthcare is far from free.Īdditionally, care is provided by plans created in each province or territory, rather than a single, unified federal health plan. Some estimates, such as those of the Fraser Institute, put the average cost at about $5,789 a year per person. Coverage is publicly-funded, meaning that the funds come from federal and provincial taxes. The real question is, what do you define as “free”? Canada’s healthcare is funded by a “single-payer” system, but it doesn’t function as one single, unified system.

Instead of jumping to conclusions about which system may be better, let’s uncover the real differences between US and Canadian healthcare. However, a side-by-side comparison will show that each system has its pros and cons.Īs soon-to-be or current allied health professionals, you’re probably very interested in this ongoing debate. The media often suggests that our neighbors, the Canadians, have better healthcare than we do. Here in the US, we often get a bit caught up in the healthcare debate.

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