Health Care System
Canada's health care system has been a work in progress since its inception. Reforms have been made
over the past four decades and will continue in response to changes within medicine and throughout
society. The basics, however, remain the same - universal coverage for medically necessary health
care services provided on the basis of need, rather than the ability to pay.
Canada's publicly funded health care system is best described as an interlocking set of ten provincial
and three territorial health insurance plans. Known to Canadians as "medicare", the system provides
access to universal, comprehensive coverage for medically necessary hospital and physician services.
Health Canada's Role
The federal government, the ten provinces, and the three territories have key roles to play in the
health care system in Canada. Health Canada's mandate is to help Canadians maintain and improve their
health. Among other activities, Health Canada's responsibilities for health care include setting
and administering national principles for the health care system through the Canada
Health Act and delivering health care services to specific groups (e.g., First Nations and
Inuit). Working in partnership with provinces and territories, Health Canada also supports the health
care system through initiatives in areas such as health human resources planning, adoption of new
technologies and primary health care delivery.
What Information is Available
In this section, you will find an overview of Canada's health care system. More detailed information
is also available on specific elements of the health care system, including health human resources,
primary health care, home and community care and pharmaceuticals coverage. There is also information
on studies examining the health care system and links to further information.
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