Why Are We Trying to Replicate the USA's Failed Private Health Care System in Canada?
Brian Sankarsingh throws his two cents into the privatization in healthcare debate
You’ve probably noticed that there is a growing push for privatized health care in Canada. It’s a controversial shift, and it is often pitched as the ONLY solution to long wait times and strained public systems. But let’s step back and consider what’s happening to our neighbours south of the border in the United States of America. Theirs is an experiment in the private health care model but to Canadians it should be sees as a cautionary tale, not a blueprint.
The American System: High Costs, Poor Outcomes
In the United States, private health care dominates. It may be obscenely profitable for insurance companies and health corporations, but it is disastrous for many people. Here are some hard truths about their system:
Exorbitant Costs: According to Forbes, Americans pay more for health care than anyone else in the world. In 2022, per capita health care spending was over $12,000—double what Canadians spend.
Limited Access: Millions of Americans are uninsured or underinsured and, in many cases, even those with coverage often face sky-high deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses.
Poor Outcomes: Despite high spending, the U.S. consistently ranks low in health care quality, access, and equity compared to other developed nations.
If privatization leads to these issues in the U.S., why are we entertaining it in Canada?
The Canadian System: Imperfect but Essential
Canada’s public health care system isn’t perfect. Long wait times and underfunding are legitimate concerns. But these problems are symptoms of neglect, not inherent flaws. Privatization isn’t the fix. In fact, introducing private options often makes public systems worse.
Here’s how:
Two-Tiered Care: Private clinics cherry-pick profitable services, leaving the public system to handle complex, costly cases. This deepens inequalities.
Staff Drain: Doctors and nurses gravitate toward higher-paying private roles, further straining public facilities.
Rising Costs: With privatization, administrative overheads increase. You’ll likely pay more through taxes, premiums, or direct fees.
Who Benefits From Privatization?
Let’s be clear: the push for privatized health care isn’t about improving care for you. It’s about profit. Corporate interests see an opportunity to capitalize on public dissatisfaction. But their success often comes at your expense—financially and medically.
A Better Way Forward
Fixing Canada’s health care system doesn’t require importing U.S. problems. Instead, we need:
Increased Public Funding: Address underfunding to reduce wait times and improve access.
Workforce Investment: Recruit and retain health care professionals through better pay, training, and working conditions.
Streamlined Processes: Cut red tape and invest in technology to make the system more efficient.
Alternative Models: Expand the use of community health centres, which provide team-based, patient-centered care. These centers address local needs effectively while reducing strain on hospitals and emergency services.
These solutions strengthen public health care, ensuring everyone gets the care they need without the financial burden.
The Choice Is Yours
Privatization isn’t inevitable. It’s a choice. If you value universal access and equity, now is the time to speak up. Demand better public funding and resist efforts to undermine the system. Don’t let Canada follow the U.S. down a path of inequality and inefficiency. Our health care system is worth protecting.
Bio: BRIAN SANKARSINGH is an award-winning poet and author. He is a Trinidadian-born Canadian immigrant who has published several books of poetry on a wide range of social and historical themes including racism, colonialism, and enslavement. Sankarsingh artfully blends prose and poetry into his storytelling creating an eclectic mix with both genres. This unique approach is sure to provide something for everyone.
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