Medicare (Canada)

Medicare (Canada) is the informal term used to refer to the publicly funded, single-payer health care system of Canada. Unlike the United States' multi-payer, largely private system, Canada's health care system is financed by income, sales and corporate taxes.

History

The concept of Medicare in Canada dates back to the early 20th century. The first province to introduce a public health care plan was Saskatchewan in 1962, under the leadership of Premier Tommy Douglas. The success of the Saskatchewan plan led to the federal government's decision to implement a national health care plan in 1966.

Coverage

Medicare provides coverage for a variety of health care services, including visits to doctors, specialists, and hospital stays. However, it does not cover prescription drugs, dental care, or vision care. Some provinces offer additional coverage for these services.

Funding

Medicare is funded through a combination of federal and provincial taxes. The federal government provides a portion of the funding through the Canada Health Transfer, while the provinces provide the rest through their own tax revenues.

Criticisms

Despite its popularity, Medicare has been criticized for its long wait times and lack of coverage for certain services. Some critics argue that the system should be supplemented with private insurance to improve access and quality of care.

See also

• Health care in Canada
• Canada Health Act
• Tommy Douglas

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  Tommy Douglas, known as the father of Medicare in Canada

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