How Does Canada Do It?

Abstract

AMERICAN interest in the Canadian health care system is growing rapidly for two principal reasons.1 2 3 First, costs have escalated in the United States to such an extent that health care now accounts for approximately 11.5 percent of the gross national product, whereas in Canada the comparable figure is about 9 percent. Second, one in seven Americans has no health insurance, and tens of millions of others have incomplete coverage; in contrast, Canada provides comprehensive, first-dollar health insurance to all its citizens. If U.S. spending could be held to the Canadian percentage, the savings would amount to more than $100 billion . . .