How to Implement Universal Health Care yet Keep Waiting Times Low

Summary:

• While data indicates strongly that Canadians prefer their system over that of the United States, many problems exist in the Canadian Health Care system that I, a dual citizen can attest to
• The United States needs Universal Health Care but there is a fear that the quality of our care would decrease. This is a myth and discussed.
• Through provisions implemented to keep doctors in the US, which is the biggest superiority of American Health Care (shorter wait times), we can overcome obstacles other nations face.

As a Canadian, I typically enjoyed my health care. You scheduled an appointment and everything was free; no out of pocket costs. But as I grew up, I was no longer the pediatric patient who was a priority. I had lived in the US by now, but by visiting Canada (twice for health care purposes), I was disappointed in the system; namely, I was disappointed that I had to plan appointments literally months in advance (something I couldn't imagine here) and seeing a specialist was like waiting in line during rush hour at a fast-food change.

Wait times are probably the sole problem of why Canadian Health Care is inferior to American Health Care. In fact, it may be the only complaint.

So why are wait times in the U.S. so shorter?

- Wait times are shorter because we have more doctors per capita. To add to that, we have policies that allocate patients to see certain doctors and visit certain hospitals, creating a stagmentation in the influx of patients. 

- Aside from more doctor's per capita, America does have underlying issues not seen as bad in Canada; doctor's have a much higher rate of malpractice, prescription medication to treat problems without looking for other possible problems via X-Ray, MRI, etc., is a major issue in the US. 

 - Canada has an older population. Also, a much higher number of immigrants. While sounding silly, it increases per-capita the need to visit facilities.

- America's for-profit system unfortunately has set practices, especially HMO's, to limit time spent with a patient, and to limit options.

How does America get Universal Health Care and not face the problems in Canada?

- Well for one, we already have more doctor's per capita, in particular specialists. Switching to a Universal Health Care system would not cause an influx of health practitioners to leave.

- While we would add some 40 million people to access to health care, under Obamacare millions have enrolled and times have not skyrocketed. Our health industry is growing, and we can continuously encourage this.

- Doctor's pay is a major indicator as to why so many people choose to practice, and the reason so many immigrants will love to be doctor's here and are. This may be seen as a bump in the road, but slightly altering the immigration laws to need-based skilled employees, we can combat this.

     - On that note, we need to preserve doctor's pay. Right now, capitalism has been monumental in setting budget standards, as health care facilities compete. We can preserve doctor's pay by allowing private hospitals to continue to be ran, setting rates based on how they charge for other reasons. In example, a hospital buys on average a bag of sterile water for $1.02. One dollar. Yet the average hospital cost for a water IV is $800. By lowering this price and having government mandate caps on price gauging as we already do with gasoline, I believe we will see a rapid decrease in costs affiliated toward that, therefore paying health care employees instead.

- Doctor's are still largely paid by pharmaceuticals - While this practice is often corrupt, it is often beneficial as free samples of medications are dispersed, and empirical data is presented, even though often misleading. By increasing standards an decreasing the scope of pharma practices, doctor's can ethically receive some money. 

The key is to keep doctor's salaries consistent, ensure that with more people on health care, we have sufficient staff by giving people initiatives to join the health sector like tuition reimbursement. Furthermore, doctors from overseas who possess the correct education to be certified in the US can help increase the number of practitioners. Waiting times for the emergency room can be decreased by more doctors, and empowering more innovative practices like urgent care walk-in facilities.

Canada does fare better in preventative care and spending more time with patients. This has led to less people needing to go to the doctor. Canada also has lower obesity rates, lower drug-inflicted ER visits, less fatalities and crime, and is in general a healthier nation. This poses a question of why a healthier country waits so much longer for health care. We know that there are many health epidemics in the US that do not exist prominently elsewhere. However, to refute that argument, specialists are far more available in the US than any other nation.

Conclusion:

While Canada and other industrialized nations have inferior health care with regards to waiting and patient satisfaction, the United States has a high patient satisfaction already with lower waiting times. We can offset common occurrences when universal health care occurs such as less pay by adding provisions to increase pay. Making access to health care more affordable to everyone does not compromise doctor's pay if we don't allow it to.

Health care is a right, now a priveledge. And with a universal system, we will see many patients visit with their doctors over a concern at an earlier pace than had they been without insurance, causing treatment to be easier, quicker, and cheaper.

Do not be fooled in thinking that Canadian health care is that great. Waiting two months to see a doctor for back pain is ridiculous. We need to praise the benefits of American health care, as I have done so here, without ignoring the cons of American health care, which I did not go in-depth on.

I often do not cite sources, but I have them. Shall you wish for a source cited, please let me know!