The Demand for Alternative Forms of Financing Universal Health Care in Canada: a Literature Review

Abstract

The discourse surrounding the unsustainability of financing universal health care in Canada has led many stakeholders to evaluate the current system in order to consider alternative forms of funding. Several health care financing models have been suggested and include Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs), increased taxation and targeting policy to control specific cost drivers such as price inflation of physician and hospital services. This paper targets health care professionals, researchers and policy makers and calls for more awareness in evaluating public health reform initiatives for alternative measures of financing Universal Health Care. Public reform must be critically considered in order to improve the cost and delivery of health care services since private methods ultimately impede on individual and population determinants of health. Discussed here are alternative financing strategies with an evaluation of benefits, limitations, and future recommendations for Canada’s health care system.