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 CARE THE 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 continuity of careEnsuring continuity of care in each province/territory

MODERN HEALTH CARE PROVINCIAL/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 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 Prevention 1.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 REFORM Home 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 REFORM Non-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%)