Private Health Care in Canada

Interview with Michael McBane and Brian Day on the future of health care in Canada. (10:35)Download The hallmarks of Canada's government-funded universal health care system include the public provision of core physician and hospital services and the absence of copayments and other patient charges.1 The system is often championed as a reflection of Canadian values and as an alternative that the United States might emulate. In 2003, Canada's health care spending per capita was $3,003 — higher than that of some European countries and Japan but about half that of the United States (see table). Canada's spending as a proportion of gross domestic product has remained steady, while many other countries have been spending an increasing . . .