Free healthcare?

Diogenes

Diogenes

Nemo me impune lacessit
Gg_a6u_XoAA9Sp8




The lesson: have someone else subsidize your military if you want free healthcare.


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Yakuda said:
Nothing is free
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You know what is really not free, the "free" emergency room healthcare that the alt right is trying to convince us to get.

Both the Canadian and American Governments spend about the same amount per capita on healthcare. For that, everyone in Canada gets healthcare, and only about a third of the Americans get healthcare.
 
Walt said:
Both the Canadian and American Governments spend about the same amount per capita on healthcare.
Click to expand...

No, the Canadian and American governments do not spend about the same amount per capita on healthcare. According to available data, the United States significantly outspends Canada on healthcare per capita. In 2022, the U.S. spent approximately $12,555 per person on healthcare, while Canada spent around $6,319 per person (in U.S. dollars). This indicates that the U.S. expenditure on healthcare per capita is nearly double that of Canada.

Healthcare funding varies significantly between countries, particularly in the context of the United States and Canada. Here's an overview based on recent data:

United States:
  • Public Funding:
    • Federal Programs: Major federal programs include:
      • Medicare: For people 65 and older, certain younger people with disabilities, and people with End-Stage Renal Disease.
      • Medicaid: A joint federal and state program for low-income individuals and families, providing health coverage for eligible populations based on income, family size, disability status, and other factors.
      • Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP): Provides health coverage for children in families that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford private insurance.
      • Veterans Health Administration: Provides care to U.S. military veterans.
    • State Programs: States may have their own health programs or expansions of Medicaid.
    • Other Federal Funding: Includes subsidies through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces and other health-related government spending.
  • Private Funding:
    • Employer-Sponsored Insurance: A significant portion of Americans receive health insurance through their employers, where both the employer and employee contribute to the cost.
    • Individual Market: People purchase health insurance directly from insurers, often with the help of tax credits through the ACA exchanges.
    • Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Direct payments by individuals for healthcare services not covered by insurance.
    • Private Health Insurance: Includes plans not associated with employment or government subsidies.
  • Other Sources:
    • Philanthropy and Non-Profit Organizations: Some healthcare services, especially in underserved areas, receive funding from charitable or non-profit organizations.

Canada:
  • Public Funding:
    • Canada Health Transfer (CHT): The federal government transfers funds to the provinces and territories via the CHT, which supports the operation of the public healthcare system. In 2023, this was supplemented by significant additional funding.
    • Provincial/Territorial Funds: Provinces and territories fund the bulk of healthcare through their own taxation systems, covering approximately 70% of the total health expenditure.
    • Specific Federal Grants: For targeted health initiatives like mental health, home care, or pharmacare.
  • Private Funding:
    • Private Health Insurance: About two-thirds of Canadians have private health insurance, which usually covers services not included under the public system like dental care, vision care, and prescription drugs outside hospitals.
    • Out-of-Pocket Payments: For services not covered by public insurance, including some pharmaceuticals, dental, and vision care.
  • Other Sources:
    • Workplace Benefits: Many Canadians receive additional health coverage through their employers, which can include supplementary insurance for services not covered by public plans.

Insights:
  • U.S.: The U.S. system is characterized by a mix of public and private funding with a significant private sector involvement, leading to higher overall health spending but also higher out-of-pocket costs for individuals.
  • Canada: Predominantly public-funded with private insurance playing a supplementary role, leading to a system where core medical services are accessible without direct costs at the point of care but with gaps in coverage for certain services.

These descriptions are based on an understanding of the general trends and structures in healthcare funding as of recent data:


@Grok
 
Walt said:
You know what is really not free, the "free" emergency room healthcare that the alt right is trying to convince us to get.

Both the Canadian and American Governments spend about the same amount per capita on healthcare. For that, everyone in Canada gets healthcare, and only about a third of the Americans get healthcare.
Click to expand...
Keep crying walt. Nothing is free
 
Diogenes said:
No, the Canadian and American governments do not spend about the same amount per capita on healthcare. According to available data, the United States significantly outspends Canada on healthcare per capita. In 2022, the U.S. spent approximately $12,555 per person on healthcare, while Canada spent around $6,319 per person (in U.S. dollars). This indicates that the U.S. expenditure on healthcare per capita is nearly double that of Canada.
@Grok
Click to expand...

You, or Grok, messed up a bit. I compared government spending alone. You are comparing total spending, including private. But we both come to the same conclusion. The USA spends quite a bit more, for worse results.
 
Diogenes said:
Is that so?
Click to expand...


The cost of funding Canada's healthcare system, often referred to as "free" due to its universal access at the point of service, is substantial and primarily covered through taxation. In 2024, total healthcare spending in Canada is estimated to reach $372 billion, which equates to approximately $9,054 per Canadian citizen. This figure represents about 12.4% of Canada's GDP, highlighting the significant financial commitment required to sustain the system. The funding comes from a combination of federal, provincial, and territorial taxes, with provinces and territories generating around 78% of the cost and the federal government contributing the remainder through the Canada Health Transfer (CHT).

For individual Canadians, the cost of healthcare is reflected in the taxes they pay. According to various analyses, the average Canadian family of four can expect to contribute between $15,000 and $17,000 annually through taxes to fund public healthcare. For single individuals, the estimated tax contribution is around $4,907 to $5,622 per year, while single parents with one child may pay approximately $5,812. These figures vary based on income levels and household size, with higher-income families contributing significantly more—up to $41,916 annually for those in the top 10% income bracket. Despite the perception of healthcare being "free," these tax contributions underscore the system's substantial cost to Canadian citizens.

https://torontosun.com/opinion/colu...eal-cost-of-free-health-care-in-canada-report

Additionally, while the public system covers medically necessary services like hospital care and physician visits, it does not include all healthcare needs. About 30% of healthcare spending in Canada is directed toward private services, such as prescription drugs, dental care, and vision care, which are often covered by supplementary private insurance. This private insurance, frequently employer-sponsored, can cost an average family around $4,000 per year, adding to the overall healthcare expenses for Canadians. The reliance on private insurance to fill gaps in public coverage further illustrates that the system, while universal, is not entirely cost-free for citizens.

The average annual healthcare cost for American citizens varies significantly based on several factors including insurance coverage, type of plan, age, and geographic location. Here are some key insights:

  • Health Insurance Costs: The average annual cost of health insurance for an individual is around $7,739, while for a family it is approximately $22,221 as of 2021 data. However, these are premiums before subsidies or tax credits, which can significantly reduce costs for many individuals.

@Grok
 
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