Effects of The Creation of Medicare on Canada

During December 1966, a very important factor was put into place, that very quickly had a positive impact on our country Canada. It was a very impactful event and creation for Canada, and it was, in fact, Canada’s most defining moment, the creation of Medicare. It helps everyone across Canada, including the poor, those living in poverty, the average citizen, as well as our veterans. 

The first reason Medicare was Canada’s defining moment is that Medicare helps to decrease the number of people who are living in poverty, within Canada. Prescription drugs being sold within Canada are significantly cheaper and more reasonably priced than the prescription drugs being sold outside of the country. A study found that prescription drugs being sold inside of Canada, in stores like Costco and Shoppers Drug Mart are 6% cheaper than those found in the United States in the San Francisco Bay area. This significant comparison proves that very little programs will benefit citizens, as much as Medicare does. Being able to afford the medications people need, will really assist people in purchasing them. Medicare helps to increase life expectancy as well. When Canadian citizens gain access to more affordably priced healthcare, including medicine and services that they need, the life expectancy increases. Being able to receive services that are necessities to treating different types of conditions, is guaranteed to increase Canadas life expectancy rates. Medicare also helps people to put money towards other priorities they have like schooling, bills and other everyday investments. Elderly in poverty, went from 30% and decreased to 10% within several years of Medicare being put into place (Lankford K, 2017). When families and other individuals, have access to Medicare they have the reassurance that they can support themselves, with minimal to no worries. In 1955 less than 50% of Canadians had medical insurance, at the time it cost roughly $80. This was a cost that the poor could not afford. Medicare gives everyone the help they need and has reduced poverty levels. 

Next, Medicare brings equality between every individual in Canada. Prior to the creation, doctors had the ability to charge whatever they pleased for the services that they provided for patients, therefore many people were being overcharged. Medicare has denied doctors across Canada, the power to decide costs and is now a better system. Medicare has also improved the healthcare system in a way of making patients increasingly equal. Certain types of people were neglected of services, due to them not being seen as a priority, or they didn't have enough money. Medicare gave every single Canadian the healthcare services they deserved. The creation of universal healthcare also made sure everyone is treated equal, without any factors influencing like being rich or poor. Prior to Medicare, Doctors were able to choose which patients they saw and treated first. Normally, the rich would be treated first, since they would be paying the highest. Medicare has done a very good job of keeping everyone equal, and fair since 1966. 

Lastly, Medicare helps veterans with the medical services they need after returning back home. It gave soldiers access to healthcare services they needed, to treat any medical conditions they had. Tuberculosis was a very bad disease spreading post-war, 3,123 veterans had returned home to Canada with it, and everyone had to be treated to stop the rapid spread. Also, another factor that was not right before Medicare, was that many veterans did not qualify for types of programs/benefits. For example, amputee soldiers were granted with programs to help them, but TB soldiers were not. Medicare also had a big influence on encouraging more people to potentially sign up to be a Canadian soldier in the future. If Canadians know they have access to services, and wont be denied since they can't afford it, it could lead to a larger force of more Canadians in the future. Veterans often need long term and short term care when returning back home, with physical and psychological effects. When knowing that Medicare has been put in place, it definitely could encourage more people to go overseas.

 In conclusion, Medicare had a long-lasting, and significant impact on Canada, and it was most definitely Canada's most defining moment for so many reasons. Countless Canadians are no longer in poverty since they now are provided with help covering their medical costs, Medicare has created more equality between health care workers and every citizen in Canada, rich or poor. Lastly, Medicare helped and continues to help veterans when returning from the war. Overall, Medicare helps many Canadians every single day, and has had a huge impact on Canadian history, making it Canadas most defining moment.