THE CANADIAN

HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

HISTORY OF MEDICARE• Health care is one of the most important issues to

Canadians. • Most of us believe that health care should be

available to all Canadian citizens, regardless of their ability to pay.

• Medicare is Canada’s national health insurance system.

• Medicare uses taxes from all levels of government to pay for health services.

• Last century, individuals paid for their health care. A physician would charge whatever they thought the family could afford. Those who could not pay had to find charity services (VON, Red Cross, churches)

• The Depression inspired Canadians to create a pre-paid health care system.

HISTORY OF MEDICARE• In 1945 Saskatchewan implemented the first

medical plan covering welfare recipients • By 1947 Saskatchewan established the first

province wide universal hospital insurance program, providing necessary hospital care to all residents funded through taxes thanks to the “Father of Medicare” Tommy Douglas –

• This did not go over well and even caused a doctor’s strike lasting 3 weeks

• By 1961, all provinces and territories had a health care insurance plan in place.

• In 1966 the Medical Care Act was introduced

MODERN HEALTH CARETHE MODERN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM• The federal, provincial and territorial government

share the health care responsibility.FEDERAL• Delivering health care to Aboriginals, military,

veterans, inmates and the RCMP• Developing and carrying out govt. policies and

programs that promote health and prevent disease.

• Transferring tax money to the provinces and territories

• Ensuring continuity of care in each province/territory

MODERN HEALTH CAREPROVINCIAL/TERRITORIAL• Pays for hospital and physician costs• Developing and administering its own health care

insurance plan (in Ontario we have OHIP) and following the 5 principles of Medicare listed in the Canada Health Act (CHA)• Public administration – run by public, non-profit• Comprehensiveness – all medically necessary services• Universality – permanent residents• Portability – unemployment, career change, moving,

travel• Accessibility – regardless of gender, income, health,

age

HEALTH CARE REFORMHEALTH CARE REFORM• Due to rising health care costs, the govt. made

changes to the health care system in the 90’s to help reduce costs. The govt. focused on 2 key areas.

Health Promotion & Disease Prevention1. Health promotion refers to strategies that

improve or maintain health and independence. 2. Disease prevention refers to strategies that

prevent the occurrence of disease or injury.

HEALTH CARE REFORM• The factors that affect a person’s health are:

• Income and social status• Social support networks• Education• Employment and working conditions• Environment• Personal health practices and coping skills

The gov’t implemented new policies to promote health and prevent illness, they include:• Immunization programs• Prenatal and parenting classes• Info on drinking during pregnancy, unsafe sex and

tobacco use• Efforts to increase housing, decrease poverty and

protect the environment

HEALTH CARE REFORMHome Care• Patients are being sent home sooner after hospital

procedure, mostly due to the costs. • Home care is health care and support services

provided to people in their homes. The main focus of home care is to enable people to remain in their homes, as healthy and as independent as possible, for as long as possible.

• Home care “professional” services include:• Nrsg care• PT• OT• Speech therapy• Nutrition counseling• Social work• RT

HEALTH CARE REFORMNon-medical home care services include:• Personal care• Assistance with ADL’s• Assistance with home management• PSW’S provide most of the support services in the

homes (80%)