Like most modern democratic states, countries in the North American region are constantly battling for the top medical utilities. Health care is one of the fundamental services available to the citizens of a democratic state. Northern America primarily consists of these three main countries: the United States of America, Canada, and Mexico. These three countries have completely different democratic policies and the health care offered in each varies drastically from the other.
It is known without a doubt that each of these countries is constantly implementing laws to overcome demographic changes, lack of financing, and a balance of equality in the services they provide. Each new government brings new policies that can help improve the delivery of health care services.
We shall look over the scope of medical utilities across all three North American countries in turn. While most of these have made great improvements to their healthcare system, faults and defects remain. We shall see what changes these countries might need to implement to overcome the deficiencies in their health care system.
Canada
The government policies in the recent past have brought forward policies to amplify Canada’s health care considerably. Canada has always been at the top of the list for states with the most progressive health care systems, with maximum benefits for its citizens. However, recent campaigns showed that while the Canadian health care system topped the list, it still has its faults.
There are certain areas of the Canadian healthcare system that lack adequate attention. The financing of prescription medicines, mental health, and home care are amongst the few that need to be dealt with for a balanced health care system. Citizens must have access to emergency medical supplies in Canada as well as the means and finances to afford their medicines. Home care for elderly and differently-abled citizens is also an area that requires immediate attention.
The United States of America
Health care in the USA might be at its worst in the present year. The USA still lacks a universal health care system for its citizens, something that is becoming quite common in most modern states. The USA government does not have policies in place to help its citizens pay for their health care. The public health care system does not exist to help the less fortunate citizens of the USA. Each citizen’s medical expenses are either paid for by insurance or by themselves if they can afford it. It should be noted here that US health care is the most expensive around the globe. Unless the common citizen has insurance, there is no possibility to pay the bills.
Health care for US citizens is only affordable if they have health insurance. A vast majority of the US population invests in health insurance by paying monthly premiums. In return for the monthly premiums, their health insurance company pays either a certain amount or the full cost of their medical expenses. The premium paid by each customer each month determines the facilities they may enjoy in the event they need to take up health care facilities at a hospital.
Going directly to a hospital in case of an emergency is not an option for people with insurance either. Most people go to their Primary Care Providers, under the insurance policy, for routine checkups instead of hospitals. PCPs operate out of small health clinics with surgeons appointed by various insurance companies. Even these PCPs need to be visited via appointment only.
There now exists a vicious cycle for the citizens of the United States of America when it comes to their health care system. Unless they opt for heft premium based insurance, most people simply cannot afford the health care facilities in the USA. Unless the government introduces a better health care system that provides public health care, it is a lost cause.
Mexico
Mexico has managed to create an efficient and reliable health care system for its citizens. There are numerous schemes to operate private and public health care. Most of the health care insurance of Mexican citizens is through their monthly salary, through their place of employment, and by the state itself. This way the government has been successful in creating a balance in financing the health care facilities of its citizens.
Non-residents of Mexico can also benefit from the private health care system, this also gives much more modern facilities as compared to the public health care system. For people settling there owing to new jobs, they fall under the employment-based health care system (IMSS). Most people that relocate to Mexico are advised to look into the health care facilities beforehand.
The staff and doctors at Mexican hospitals converse in English and are trained well to cater to all kinds of patients. This is because most medical residents practice in the USA before starting their local practice in Mexico. It has a universal health care system that caters to a wide demographic of the public. There has been a great influx of financing for health care through international programs. The health care system in Mexico has reached international standards and quality.
Conclusion
It is quite obvious that amongst the three states in North America, the USA is perhaps the most deficient in fulfilling the health care needs of its citizens. While each country lacks in its health care system. Mexico and Canada have still managed to provide a universal health care system for their citizens. By overcoming their areas of deficiencies, these countries will most certainly have superior and modern health care systems.
Providing health care facilities must be the top priority of any government in any country. High-quality health care helps prevent any future spread of diseases and improves the overall quality of life for citizens of any state. It is high time that governments of all modern states provide a balanced and equal health care system for all its citizens. Health care providers must also play their part in making the process of offering health care services much easier for all.