How "universal" is our healthcare?

World Health Organization states that Universal Health Coverage (UHC) means that all people have access to the health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial hardship. The 'universality' of health care in Canada means the provincial and territorial plan must cover all residents (Minister of Justice, 1985).

Our publicly funded health care - 'Medicare' allows all Canadian citizens to have reasonable access to medically necessary hospital and physician services without paying out-of-pocket (Government of Canada, 2016).

But is our health care system really 'universal'? How "universal" is it?

My professional focus as a respiratory therapist is in senior care. I mainly work in assisted living and long-term care facilities. I witness so many clients who cannot access health care services due to financial burdens, and these services are 'necessary' for them. An example would be CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) Therapy, a expensive sleep apnea treatment for retired seniors who do not have private insurance plans. Although clients may apply for the "Special Needs Assistance for Seniors" funding, the application process is often lengthy and complicated; the wait time for a sleep assessment is often long.

Our health care system is universal as it covers all Canadian citizens for their basic health care needs. However, it is not "universal enough" as the necessary needs might differ for individuals.

References: Government of Canada. 2016. Canada's health care system. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/canada-health-care-system.html

Minister of Justice. 1985. Canada Health Act. https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/PDF/C-6.pdf

World Health Organization. 2021. Universal Health Coverage (UHC). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/universal-health-coverage-(uhc)