Introduction
People’s health is a public concern in many countries globally, but some nations propose that the privatization of healthcare is an effective solution. Canada is somewhat in the middle of this discussion and has both public and private providers. In the current essay, I explain the causes and consequences of the ongoing privatization of healthcare in Canada, which has some advantages but is a negative development, in my opinion.
Canadian Healthcare and Examples
Many people who support the privatization of healthcare generally believe that all social issues should be private concerns. This development is noticeable in Western countries, especially the United States (Antony et al., 2017). The same trend is occurring in Canada, where neoliberal movements are gaining more power. The supporters of this approach claim that ongoing privatization can help resolve staffing issues and increase the overall quality of services. While some of it might be true, I believe that more private clinics will make healthcare less accessible for most people.
The US is a relevant example where the privatization of healthcare made inequality worse and increased costs (Antony et al., 2017). Since the private sector offers better job opportunities, many professionals will leave public organizations, which inevitably leads to higher prices. As a result, even if the quality of services in private clinics might be better, it will be pointless if people cannot access them.
Conclusion
I believe that the ongoing privatization of healthcare in Canada is generally harmful. This trend partially stems from the example of the US system and the neoliberal movement. However, in my opinion, privatization is not the same as democracy, and many people will lose access to healthcare services if this development continues. In summary, the government should carefully evaluate whether this trend can help the Canadian healthcare system choose an appropriate solution.
Reference
Antony, J., Antony, W., & Samuelson, L. (2017). Power and resistance: Critical thinking about Canadian social issues (7th edition). Fernwood Publishing.