Health Care in Canada

'Well written and methodical, Health Care in Canada provides a useful look at the complexities of the Canadian health care system. Katherine Fierlbeck usefully articulates how the breadth and diversity of health care across the country generates formidable challenges to design and modification within the system. Fierlbeck's descriptions of other countries' systems are illuminating, and important for breaking through simplistic discussions used to support changes.' -- Paul Hamel, Professor, Faculty of Medicine, and Director, Health Studies Program, University of Toronto

Health Care in Canada examines the challenges faced by the Canadian health care system, a subject of much public debate.

Health Care in Canada examines the challenges faced by the Canadian health care system, a subject of much public debate. In this book Katherine Fierlbeck provides an in-depth discussion of how health care decisions are shaped by politics and why there is so much disagreement over how to fix the system.

Many Canadians point to health care as a source of national pride; others are highly critical of the system's shortcomings and call for major reform. Yet meaningful debate cannot occur without an understanding of how the system actually operates. In this overview, Fierlbeck outlines the basic framework of the health care system with reference to specific areas such as administration and governance, public health, human resources, drugs and drug policy, and mental health. She also discusses alternative models in other countries such as Britain, the United States, and France. As health care becomes increasingly complex, it is crucial that Canadians have a solid grasp of the main issues within both the policy and political environments. With its balanced and accessible assessment of the main political and theoretical debates, Health Care in Canada is an essential guide for anyone with a stake in Canada's health system.