Article Analysis
The article “Canadian health care falls short of what we deserve” by David Gratzer, published on June 7th, 2010 in The Globe and Mail, disputes the idea that the Canadian health-care system lacks many needed improvements that are essential to provide quality care for Canadian citizens. Gratzer states that doctor shortages and long waits are a major flaw that the system must correct. As it is brought to his attention by many of his patients, many individuals do not have a family physician. This is proven by a Canadian Medical Society study which found that four million to five million Canadians do not have a family physician. He further analyzes his statement by referencing the progress that the government has had in reducing the wait times for radiation therapy and for general care in the past couple of years. However, using government statistics for …show more content…
As he compares the two nations, Gratzer shares statistics to emphasize the differences in patient survival rates for cancer and superior outcomes for heart attacks and transplants for Americans compared to Canadians. Gratzer also shares data from The Joint Canada/U.S Survey of Health that shows that Americans have more access to preventive screenings and higher treatment rates for chronic illnesses. Comparing the health of citizens on each side of the border, data shows that the poor in Canada seem to be less healthy than the non-poor in America. Although Gratzer states that the article is “not an endorsement of an American-style system”, he drives the idea that Canada must look to other countries for ideas and information on how to improve the current system in place. Gratzer illustrates and suggests productive measures to improve Canadian health care. He promotes good health, potential private sectors, and more direct payments by patients for their
The article “Canadian health care falls short of what we deserve” by David Gratzer, published on June 7th, 2010 in The Globe and Mail, disputes the idea that the Canadian health-care system lacks many needed improvements that are essential to provide quality care for Canadian citizens. Gratzer states that doctor shortages and long waits are a major flaw that the system must correct. As it is brought to his attention by many of his patients, many individuals do not have a family physician. This is proven by a Canadian Medical Society study which found that four million to five million Canadians do not have a family physician. He further analyzes his statement by referencing the progress that the government has had in reducing the wait times for radiation therapy and for general care in the past couple of years. However, using government statistics for …show more content…
As he compares the two nations, Gratzer shares statistics to emphasize the differences in patient survival rates for cancer and superior outcomes for heart attacks and transplants for Americans compared to Canadians. Gratzer also shares data from The Joint Canada/U.S Survey of Health that shows that Americans have more access to preventive screenings and higher treatment rates for chronic illnesses. Comparing the health of citizens on each side of the border, data shows that the poor in Canada seem to be less healthy than the non-poor in America. Although Gratzer states that the article is “not an endorsement of an American-style system”, he drives the idea that Canada must look to other countries for ideas and information on how to improve the current system in place. Gratzer illustrates and suggests productive measures to improve Canadian health care. He promotes good health, potential private sectors, and more direct payments by patients for their