Medicare for All in Canada
Canadian family and friends raved about their health care system during a beautiful fall weekend in Montreal. While it’s not perfect, they prided themselves on the country’s commitment to accessible and affordable health care to all. Here’s a summary of the conversation over dessert and coffee!
Who is eligible for health care? Nearly 40 million people. Any Canadian citizen or permanent resident was automatically enrolled in the country’s public health care system.
What is the public system? It’s called “Medicare.” The federal government delegated administration of public hospitals and providers to local provinces and territories, which also defined plan design, etc.
What does it cover? A lot. Canada’s Medicare program covered basic medical services such as doctor visits, inpatient hospitalization, emergency care, mental health, and prescription drugs.
How much do Canadians spend? Less than Americans. In 2022, the estimated expenditure per capita was $6,319 in Canada and $12,555 in the U.S., and the estimated percentage of GDP was 11.2 and 16.6, respectively. (1)
How is health care paid for? Federal and local taxes. Some Canadians also paid a small amount at the point of care depending on where they lived and what service they obtained.
How many people have private insurance? 67 percent. It paid for private doctors, dental care, etc. Employers had no role in health insurance, but some offered private insurance as a supplemental benefit. (2)
What else? Struggles. The system had an aging population and infrastructure. While satisfied with their health care, Canadians were concerned with rising costs and care delays.
Interestingly, Canadians were well informed about the U.S. health care system. They couldn’t believe that some Americans didn’t have access to or the ability to pay for care, never mind the system’s complexity. Fortunately, at this dinner table, they were mastering health insurance.
Photo: Lac des Deux Montagnes
Sources: 1) OECD.Stat (Health expenditure and financing in 2022); 2) Commonwealth Fund (Health System Overview: Canada 2020)