Compare and Contrast U.S. Healthcare Policy
Compare and Contrast U.S. Healthcare Policy
Herman Sumpter
The University of Arizona Global Campus
MHA620: Health Policy Analyses
Dr. Park E. Atatah
06/19/2024
1
Compare and Contrast U.S. Healthcare Policy
2
The United States healthcare system is largely based on the concepts of capitalism. This has contributed to the increasing cost of healthcare. Healthcare within the confines of the U.S. is a for-profit industry. The quality of care afforded within our healthcare system is based on the economic status of a patient and their insurance coverage. The healthcare policy in the U.S. is determined by the federal government and our elected politicians. Federally, healthcare policy is drafted by elected and appointed officials with the help of experts. There are three mediums by which Americans obtain coverage for medical services. Coverage can be provided through private insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid. Other agencies are called non-government organizations that play a role in formulating health policies for Americans. Those agencies are as
follows: Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention(CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and the National
Institute of Health (NIH). These agencies are essential in shaping policies, procedures, and
regulations that help shape our current healthcare policies within the United States. Every
country’s healthcare system is unique, as a result of culture, history, and happenstance
(McLaughlin & McLaughlin, 2014). The healthcare system is responsible for supplying medical
services safely. Policymakers have an ongoing obligation to give their citizens the finest care
possible throughout their lives. In order to convey the differences, I have discovered and to
highlight the commonalities, I shall compare and contrast the United States and Canada. This
essay will examine a wide range of variables, including leadership, management, workforce, and
quality.
Many individuals on the conservative side of the political spectrum in the United States think
Compare and Contrast U.S. Healthcare Policy
3
that the concept of healthcare for all citizens is improbable. Many countries have adopted the
philosophy that healthcare is a human right. This belief has led to countries such as Canada
embracing a universal healthcare structure. Canada’s healthcare system is often touted as one of
the best in the world, providing universal healthcare coverage to all Canadian citizens and
permanent residents. The primary goal of the Canadian health care system is based on a
collection of related medical insurance programs that provide social insurance coverage to every
single Canadian citizen. It should be noted that Canada has a decentralized, universal, publicly
funded health system called the Canadian Medicare. In Canada, the federal government is
constitutionally limited in the health field (Marshall, 2018).
The majority of people mistakenly believe that healthcare in Canada is free, however, this is not
the case. The higher taxes that Canadians pay every year are how they pay for their healthcare
services. Each Canadian citizen is given safety measure care and restorative medicines from
essential care specialists as well as primary care doctors. There are plans offered by private
insurance in the U.S. called Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs). Similar to Canada’s
public health plans, a primary care provider is required with HMO plans. It should be mentioned
that both countries deliver high-quality medical care and use similar technology platforms to
support their work. Both countries also utilized electronic health records. Canadian and United
States citizens are afforded access to hospitals, dental care, and various other medical services
which are included with their insurance coverage. It is critical to remember that both the
American and Canadian healthcare systems are staffed with highly qualified medical personnel
who provide top-notch care.
Compare and Contrast U.S. Healthcare Policy
4
Canada has publicly funded national health insurance, the United States has relied largely on
private financing and delivery. American healthcare expenditures are higher than those in
Canada, and they sometimes come as a surprise. Private insurance companies come in a wide
variety, and their reimbursement policies vary. The copays and deductibles differ greatly. Patients
occasionally have substantial out-of-pocket expenses for emergency care or for uncontrollable
circumstances. Huge medical bills plague many people, and the U.S. healthcare system is the
main factor in non-business bankruptcy in this country. Compared to the American healthcare
system, Canadian Medicare performs far better. The cost of healthcare in Canada is also lower.
The Canadian healthcare system is less expensive than the American healthcare system. The
average cost of healthcare in the United States is $12,914 per person, over twice what it is in
Canada ($6,500 per person). The Canadian government works with the provincial and territorial
governments to make sure that all qualified residents have unrestricted access to medically
necessary hospital and physician services. Public funding and non-profit operations are the norm
for hospitals in Canada.
The United States healthcare system will continue to evolve from a technological and medical
perspective. The concern is that medical care is not viewed as a right for all citizens of this
country. Healthcare is a for-profit industry which causes in some cases the emphasis to be on
profit over patient care. In order to increase the number of low-income Americans who may
receive government-sponsored health insurance, the ACA also increased Medicaid eligibility.
However many citizens have rejected the ACA and have continuously pushed to repeal it. This
was major progress in reducing the number of Americans who did
Compare and Contrast U.S. Healthcare Policy
5
not have access to medical care due to their inability to obtain healthcare coverage. Patient care
and access should contain some long-term and short-term elements to them. In ten years, there
will be more advanced outpatient services that make use of technology and enable patients to get
care in previously unheard-of care models, such as conventional hospital settings and rising
home care setting options. Summarize the meaning of universality in U.S. health policy versus
your chosen country.
In conclusion, In the US, there are reportedly around 46 million people without access to health
insurance. In addition, a lot more people lack health insurance, or their deductibles and copays
are so costly that many choose not to seek treatment. The concept of universality means that all
people have access to the full range of quality medical services needed, both when and where
individuals need them, without financial discomfort. The ACA was the first step for the United
States to move to guarantee that healthcare is provided to all Americans regardless of their
economic status or existing health conditions. Canada’s universal health coverage was created
through the Canada Health Act. The United States health policy makers should continue to
research those countries that are using a single-payer healthcare mode. While there are some
discussions of the cost of universal healthcare, at the present moment the United States is still
spending more per person on healthcare than Canada for example.
Compare and Contrast U.S. Healthcare Policy
References
Denis, J.-L., Usher, S., & Préval, J. (2023). Health reforms and policy capacity: the Canadian
experience. Policy & Society, 42(1), 64–89.
https://doi.org/10.1093/polsoc/puac010
McLaughlin, C. P., & McLaughlin, C. D. (2014). Health policy analysis: An interdisciplinary
approach (2nd ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Marshall, V. W. (2018). A Critique of Canadian Aging and Health Policy. Journal of Canadian
Studies/Revue d’études Canadiennes, 28(1), 153–165.
Hutchison-Perry, G. (2016). Case Studies in Canadian Health Policy and Management Raisa B.
Deber Catherine L. Mah. Canadian Journal of Political Science / Revue Canadienne de Science
Politique, 49(2), 396–397.
Michael Yeo, J.C. Herbert Emery, & Daniel Kary. (2009). The Private Insurance Debate In
Canadian Health Policy: Making the Values Explicit. The School of Public Policy
Publications,2(3), 1–33.
https://doi.org/10.11575/sppp.v2i0.42322
6
Compare and Contrast U.S. Healthcare Policy
Kondro, W. (2002). Which direction for universal Canadian health care? (Policy And People).
The
Lancet, 360(9348).
Tobias, J. G. S. (2021). Introduction to U.S. Health Policy: The Organization, Financing, and
Delivery of Health Care in America by Donald A. Barr (review). Journal of Health Care for the
Poor & Underserved, 32(3), 1–4
Kershaw, P. (2020). A “health in all policies” review of Canadian public finance. Canadian
Journal
of Public Health, 111(1), 8–20.
https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-019-00291-4
Sakallaris, B. R., Miller, W. L., Saper, R., Kreitzer, M. J., & Jonas, W. (2016). Meeting the
Challenge
of a More Person-centered Future for US Healthcare. Global Advances in Health and Medicine,
5(1), 51–60. https://doi.org/10.7453/gahmj.2015.085
7
Compare and Contrast U.S. Healthcare Policy
Compare and Contrast U.S. Healthcare Policy
MHA620: Health Policy Analyses
06/19/2024
1
Compare and Contrast U.S. Healthcare Policy
2
The United States healthcare system is largely based on the concepts of capitalism. This has
contributed to the increasing cost of healthcare. Healthcare within the confines of the U.S. is a
for-profit industry. The quality of care afforded within our healthcare system is based on the
economic status of a patient and their insurance coverage. The healthcare policy in the U.S. is
determined by the federal government and our elected politicians. Federally, healthcare policy is
drafted by elected and appointed officials with the help of experts. There are three mediums by
which Americans obtain coverage for medical services. Coverage can be provided through
private insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid. Other agencies are called non-government
organizations that play a role in formulating health policies for Americans. Those agencies are as
follows: Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention(CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and the National
Institute of Health (NIH). These agencies are essential in shaping policies, procedures, and
regulations that help shape our current healthcare policies within the United States. Every
country’s healthcare system is unique, as a result of culture, history, and happenstance
(McLaughlin & McLaughlin, 2014). The healthcare system is responsible for supplying medical
services safely. Policymakers have an ongoing obligation to give their citizens the finest care
possible throughout their lives. In order to convey the differences, I have discovered and to
highlight the commonalities, I shall compare and contrast the United States and Canada. This
essay will examine a wide range of variables, including leadership, management, workforce, and
quality.
Many individuals on the conservative side of the political spectrum in the United States think
Compare and Contrast U.S. Healthcare Policy
3
that the concept of healthcare for all citizens is improbable. Many countries have adopted the
philosophy that healthcare is a human right. This belief has led to countries such as Canada
embracing a universal healthcare structure. Canada’s healthcare system is often touted as one of
the best in the world, providing universal healthcare coverage to all Canadian citizens and
permanent residents. The primary goal of the Canadian health care system is based on a
collection of related medical insurance programs that provide social insurance coverage to every
single Canadian citizen. It should be noted that Canada has a decentralized, universal, publicly
funded health system called the Canadian Medicare. In Canada, the federal government is
constitutionally limited in the health field (Marshall, 2018).
The majority of people mistakenly believe that healthcare in Canada is free, however, this is not
the case. The higher taxes that Canadians pay every year are how they pay for their healthcare
services. Each Canadian citizen is given safety measure care and restorative medicines from
essential care specialists as well as primary care doctors. There are plans offered by private
insurance in the U.S. called Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs). Similar to Canada’s
public health plans, a primary care provider is required with HMO plans. It should be mentioned
that both countries deliver high-quality medical care and use similar technology platforms to
support their work. Both countries also utilized electronic health records. Canadian and United
States citizens are afforded access to hospitals, dental care, and various other medical services
which are included with their insurance coverage. It is critical to remember that both the
American and Canadian healthcare systems are staffed with highly qualified medical personnel
who provide top-notch care.
Compare and Contrast U.S. Healthcare Policy
4
Canada has publicly funded national health insurance, the United States has relied largely on
private financing and delivery. American healthcare expenditures are higher than those in
Canada, and they sometimes come as a surprise. Private insurance companies come in a wide
variety, and their reimbursement policies vary. The copays and deductibles differ greatly. Patients
occasionally have substantial out-of-pocket expenses for emergency care or for uncontrollable
circumstances. Huge medical bills plague many people, and the U.S. healthcare system is the
main factor in non-business bankruptcy in this country. Compared to the American healthcare
system, Canadian Medicare performs far better. The cost of healthcare in Canada is also lower.
The Canadian healthcare system is less expensive than the American healthcare system. The
average cost of healthcare in the United States is $12,914 per person, over twice what it is in
Canada ($6,500 per person). The Canadian government works with the provincial and territorial
governments to make sure that all qualified residents have unrestricted access to medically
necessary hospital and physician services. Public funding and non-profit operations are the norm
for hospitals in Canada.
The United States healthcare system will continue to evolve from a technological and medical
perspective. The concern is that medical care is not viewed as a right for all citizens of this
country. Healthcare is a for-profit industry which causes in some cases the emphasis to be on
profit over patient care. In order to increase the number of low-income Americans who may
receive government-sponsored health insurance, the ACA also increased Medicaid eligibility.
However many citizens have rejected the ACA and have continuously pushed to repeal it. This
was major progress in reducing the number of Americans who did
Compare and Contrast U.S. Healthcare Policy
5
not have access to medical care due to their inability to obtain healthcare coverage. Patient care
and access should contain some long-term and short-term elements to them. In ten years, there
will be more advanced outpatient services that make use of technology and enable patients to get
care in previously unheard-of care models, such as conventional hospital settings and rising
home care setting options. Summarize the meaning of universality in U.S. health policy versus
your chosen country.
In conclusion, In the US, there are reportedly around 46 million people without access to health
insurance. In addition, a lot more people lack health insurance, or their deductibles and copays
are so costly that many choose not to seek treatment. The concept of universality means that all
people have access to the full range of quality medical services needed, both when and where
individuals need them, without financial discomfort. The ACA was the first step for the United
States to move to guarantee that healthcare is provided to all Americans regardless of their
economic status or existing health conditions. Canada’s universal health coverage was created
through the Canada Health Act. The United States health policy makers should continue to
research those countries that are using a single-payer healthcare mode. While there are some
discussions of the cost of universal healthcare, at the present moment the United States is still
spending more per person on healthcare than Canada for example.
Compare and Contrast U.S. Healthcare Policy
References
Denis, J.-L., Usher, S., & Préval, J. (2023). Health reforms and policy capacity: the Canadian
experience. Policy & Society, 42(1), 64–89.
https://doi.org/10.1093/polsoc/puac010
McLaughlin, C. P., & McLaughlin, C. D. (2014). Health policy analysis: An interdisciplinary
approach (2nd ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Marshall, V. W. (2018). A Critique of Canadian Aging and Health Policy. Journal of Canadian
Studies/Revue d’études Canadiennes, 28(1), 153–165.
Hutchison-Perry, G. (2016). Case Studies in Canadian Health Policy and Management Raisa B.
Deber Catherine L. Mah. Canadian Journal of Political Science / Revue Canadienne de Science
Politique, 49(2), 396–397.
Michael Yeo, J.C. Herbert Emery, & Daniel Kary. (2009). The Private Insurance Debate In
Canadian Health Policy: Making the Values Explicit. The School of Public Policy
Publications,2(3), 1–33.
https://doi.org/10.11575/sppp.v2i0.42322
6
Compare and Contrast U.S. Healthcare Policy
Kondro, W. (2002). Which direction for universal Canadian health care? (Policy And People).
The
Lancet, 360(9348).
Tobias, J. G. S. (2021). Introduction to U.S. Health Policy: The Organization, Financing, and
Delivery of Health Care in America by Donald A. Barr (review). Journal of Health Care for the
Poor & Underserved, 32(3), 1–4
Kershaw, P. (2020). A “health in all policies” review of Canadian public finance. Canadian
Journal
of Public Health, 111(1), 8–20.
https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-019-00291-4
Sakallaris, B. R., Miller, W. L., Saper, R., Kreitzer, M. J., & Jonas, W. (2016). Meeting the
Challenge
of a More Person-centered Future for US Healthcare. Global Advances in Health and Medicine,
5(1), 51–60. https://doi.org/10.7453/gahmj.2015.085
7
Sample Papers
ELEMENTS & FORMAT
Sample Student Paper
• 61
student title page, 2.3
paper title, 2.4, 2.27,
Table 2.1, Figure 2.4
group author, 9.11
parenthetical citation
of a work with two
authors, 8.17
italics to highlight
a key term, 6.22
parenthetical citation
of a work with one
author, 8.17
repeated citation
needed, 8.1
use of ?rst person, 4.16
narrative citation in
parenthetical running
text, 8.11
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62
•
PAPER ELEMENTS AND FORMAT
Sample Student Paper (continued)
Level 1 heading, 2.27,
Table 2.3, Figure 2.5
Level 2 heading, 2.27,
Table 2.3, Figure 2.5
Level 2 heading, 2.27,
Table 2.3, Figure 2.5
lettered list, 6.50
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Sample Papers
• 63
ELEMENTS & FORMAT
Sample Student Paper (continued)
short quotation, 8.25, 8.26
repeated narrative citation with
the year omitted, 8.16
“et al.” citations for
works with three or
more authors, 8.17
Level 1 heading, 2.27,
Table 2.3, Figure 2.5
Level 2 heading, 2.27,
Table 2.3, Figure 2.5
secondary source
citation, 8.6
narrative citation
with the year in the
narrative, 8.11
“for more” citation, 8.11
APA_PM7_Ch2-BLueline.indd 63
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ELEMENTS & FORMAT
64
•
PAPER ELEMENTS AND FORMAT
Sample Student Paper (continued)
long paraphrase, 8.24
time abbreviation, 6.28
block quotation, 8.25, 8.27
narrative citation, 8.11;
paraphrasing, 8.23
Level 1 heading, 2.27,
Table 2.3, Figure 2.5
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Sample Papers
• 65
ELEMENTS & FORMAT
Sample Student Paper (continued)
“see also” citation, 8.12
Level 2 heading, 2.27,
Table 2.3, Figure 2.5
personal communication, 8.9
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66
•
PAPER ELEMENTS AND FORMAT
Sample Student Paper (continued)
book reference, 10.2
report reference, 10.4
journal article reference, 10.1
YouTube video
reference, 10.12
blog post
reference, 10.1
short URL, 9.36
conference presentation
reference, 10.5
shortDOI, 9.36
edited book chapter
reference, 10.3
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Sample Papers
• 67
ELEMENTS & FORMAT
shortDOI, 9.36
doctoral dissertation
reference, 10.6
APA_PM7_Ch2-BLueline.indd 67
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