Tommy Douglas revolutionized the Canadian health care system and without his efforts and initiatives the medical care
One man can save the lives of millions of people with one idea. An idea that
separates Canada from any other country in the world. Tommy Douglas is the reason we
have our health care system and without this man many Canadians would have lost their
lives. Tommy Douglas revolutionized the Canadian health care system and without his
efforts and initiatives the medical care of all Canadians would have been at a considerable
disadvantage. Tommy Douglas had spent his life searching for ways to help others.
Canada's health care system has historically helped develop the country we know as
Canada. One man, Tommy Douglas followed his dream of universally accessible medical
care that lives on today. Canadian health care is presently in a state of crisis. Will Tommy
Douglas's dream of universal medical care continue to save lives?
The idea of Canadian medical care, great devotion to social causes, and political
fortune earned Tommy Douglas the respect of millions of Canadians. Tommy Douglas
has spent his life searching for ways to help Canada and every citizen in Canada. Tommy
Douglas found himself in the hospital at the age of 10, due to a bone infection he suffered
4 years earlier. Douglas's parents were told that the only option they had was to amputate
their son's leg before the infection spread to the rest of his body. If the infection spread it
would eventually end in Tommy's death. This was all a result of Douglas's parents not
having enough money to pay for a specialist to perform an operation on Tommy's leg.
Before the infection spread a doctor offered to operate on Tommy's leg for free as a
demonstration for the doctors students. "The surgery saved Douglas's leg , quite possibly
his life and would serve as an inspiration for his dream of universally accessible medical
care" (The Greatest Canadian,2004, paragraph 4) As Douglas was growing up he
experienced many different types of occupations before settling at the liberal arts college.
After Douglas's graduation he made the move to politics in 1935 when he was elected as
a Member of Parliament in the CCF. (The Greatest Canadian,2004paragraph 5) Douglas
was in the House of ...
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demonstration for the doctors students. "The surgery saved Douglas's leg , quite possibly
his life and would serve as an inspiration for his dream of universally accessible medical
care" (The Greatest Canadian,2004, paragraph 4) As Douglas was growing up he
experienced many different types of occupations before settling at the liberal arts college.
After Douglas's graduation he made the move to politics in 1935 when he was elected as
a Member of Parliament in the CCF. (The Greatest Canadian,2004paragraph 5) Douglas
was in the House of Commons for nine years before he was elected the leader of
provincial CCF in Saskatchewan. Douglas became an instant celebrity leading Canada's
first-ever socialist government. The fame did not discourage Douglas's efforts to
revolutionize Canada and its medical care. Douglas introduced his dream of universal
Medical care but not before introducing paved roads, sewage systems, car insurance and
labour reforms. "An anti-medicare campaign by Saskatchewan's medical professionals,
helped to deal him his first significant defeat in the 1961 federal election." ( The Greatest
Canadian,2004,paragraph 9) Although Douglas faced a significant defeat he continued to
promote his policy's. Lester B. Pearson's Liberals adopted Douglas's national Medicare
and a pension plan that gave him hope. (The Greatest Canadian,2004,paragraph 10)
Douglas stepped down as leader but continued to stay on with the party. Shortly after
Tommy Douglas died of cancer in 1986. (The Greatest Canadian,2004,paragraph 12)
Tommy Douglas's legacy of universal medical care lived on and more established
political parties eventually came to accept Douglas's once- radical ideas as their own.
Which soon started the ongoing evolution of the Canadian healthcare system.
Tommy Douglas's idea becomes Canada's system of dependence. Tommy
Douglas had spent his life searching for ways to help others. Canada's health care system
has historically helped develop the country we know as Canada. Before the 1940's
private medicine dominated the health care which meant access to medicine was based on
your ability to pay. Canada's medical health care system all began when hospital
insurance was introduced. In Saskatchewan the government led by Tommy Douglas
established public, universal hospital insurance in 1947. (History of Canadian Health
Care, paragraph1) The federal government soon began to encourage hospital insurance in
all provinces by offering to help pay the costs of hospitals and diagnostic services. By
961, all ten provinces and two territories agree to the federal governments offer.
Doctors strike for 23 days because Saskatchewan's NDP government introduces the first
public Health care program in 1962. (History of Canadian Health Care, paragraph 4)
Universal insurance for not only doctors but also prescription drugs, home care and dental
are recommended. "In 1968,Prime Minister Lester Pearson's Liberal government
introduces the Medical Care Act, quickly dubbed Medicare." (Evolution of Canadian
Health Care,2002,paragraph 8) All provinces and territories sign on to Medical care
saying that universal public coverage will be provided to hospital and physician care, in
return for access to federal funding. Shortly after Canada's health care was rated one of
the best in the world but extra-billing by doctors to raise there income had been
discovered. In 1984 the Canada Health Act was passed stopping doctors from extra-
billing there patients. (Evolution of Canadian Health Care,2002,paragraph 11) Health
care seemed to be perfect but would Douglas's idea continue flawlessly or end up in a
crisis.
Douglas's evolutionary idea of Medical care successfully continued from decade to
decade. Canadian health care is currently in a crisis. Will Douglas's dream of universal
medical care continue to save lives? Canada's health care system is moving towards
destruction. The system that was born 30 years ago in Saskatchewan seems to be doomed
if it is not changed. There is evidence everywhere and no disagreement that medical care
is going to become a salvage operation. The main reason for the struggle with Canadian
medical care is that to many people are abusing the healthcare system. It seems that
Canadian citizens are going to the hospital if they have a freckle, this takes the doctors
time and time is money. Too much unnecessary expenses are being spent on patients who
don't require treatment when this money could be used on patients who are critically ill.
The $5,000 a year that every household pays in taxes to the health care system is not
enough because of unnecessary expenses. (Corcoran,1991,paragraph 10) The United
States health care system is heavily regulated by national and state laws making sure
money is spent wisely. Corcoran(1991,paragraph 3) says that we need a comprehensive
national strategy, resetting of priorities, a reallocation of funds, and better management to
keep the Canadian health care system going. The health care system has lacked planning
from the beginning and that is why our system is faced with the crisis its faced today.
The Columbia Royal Commission on Health Care and Costs said," It is a great system,
but it needs change" (Corcoran,1991,paragraph 2) The Canadian health care system
saves millions of lives every year. Canadian medicare is expected to deliver help to 25
million people this year. (Corcoran,1991,paragraph 7) Without the health care system the
amount of deaths that result will be unpredictable.
In conclusion, Tommy Douglas revolutionized the Canadian medical care system
and without his efforts and ideas the health care of all Canadians would have been at a
considerable disadvantage. Tommy Douglas's life was devoted to Canada and left him
responsible for many incredible things that we could not live without. Canada's health
care has evolved greatly over the years for better and for worse but none of this could
have started if not for Tommy Douglas. Canadian medical care is in a state of crisis at
the present time but Canada will find a solution as they do for all the problems that have
occurred and Douglas's dream will continue to live.
