Is Healthcare in the United States really that bad

1
Is Healthcare in the United States really that
bad?

• Ranked 37th by the WHO in 2000
• Ranking increases to 15th if healthcare
  expenditures are removed from the equation
• Ranked 16th by the Conference Board of Canada in
  2009 in a study examining vital statistics

2
According to the Organisation for Economic
Co-operation and Development (OECD)

• the United States
• spends the largest of its GDP on healthcare
  (16) of the 30 member nations
• has a Life Expectancy that is below the OECD
  average
• has the Highest infant mortality rates
• has the Highest Obesity rates
• Also, 15.4 of Americans (46.3 million) did not
  have insurance coverage as of 2008, a number
  expected to increase this year due to the
  economic difficulties

3
Looking to the North for a New Perspective on
Healthcare

• Canada ranked 30th by the WHO in 2000
• Ranking increases to 7th if healthcare
  expenditures are removed from the equation
• Ranked 10th by the Conference Board of Canada in
  2009 in a study examining vital statistics
• Spent 10.1 of its GDP on Healthcare in 2007
  according to the OECD, and all of its residents
  are guaranteed healthcare

4
Canadian Healthcare Survey Results
5
Why Socialized Medicine works for Canadians

• all residents are covered despite income or
  employment status if you live in Canada you have
  health insurance
• access to healthcare is unbiased, everyone is
  entitled to the same coverage
• government run system is not-for-profit, and
  administrative costs are low

6
Problems with Socialized Medicine

• Shortages of medical professionals and technology
  lead to significant wait times for service
• Abuse of the system is common

7
Canadian opinions on American Healthcare

• Healthcare is a right, not a privilege
• The Government has an obligation to take care of
  its citizens
• Healthcare should not be a business, it is
  sickening that insurance companies profit on the
  misfortunes of others

8
American Healthcare Survey Results
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American Opinions on Canadian Healthcare
fundamentals
10
Americans ideas on how to fix the Healthcare
system

• Regulation of insurance companies
• Lower premiums
• No restriction on pre-existing conditions
• Open market to allow competitive pricing (like
  auto insurance)
• Private insurance for those who can afford it,
  public for those who cannot
• Focus on preventative vs. curative care

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What weve learned

• Socialized medicine works well in Canada
• Residents are cognizant of wait times and accept
  for the most part, that those whose situation is
  most dire will receive care first
• Americans do not want the increase in wait times
  or taxes that could come with a more widespread
  public healthcare option, the majority feel the
  system is okay as it is but insurance companies
  should be more closely regulated

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Special thanks to

• My Canadian friends, co-workers and family
  members who helped with surveys and interviews
• The students of Mrs. Williams AP Government
  class
• The teachers of Immaculata High School
• My co-workers
• My family for their continued support