healthcare system is superior to Canada’s, says new report New SEO title: “Australia’s Healthcare Trumps Canada’s: Fraser Institute Report”
- Australia spends less on its universal health care as a percentage of its economy compared to Canada, yet performs better on key health indicators, according to a study by the Fraser Institute.
- The study reveals that private hospitals play a significant role in Australia’s universal health-care system, accounting for 41.0% to 70.3% of all non-emergency hospital care involving surgery in 2021/22. As of 2016, 48.5% of Australia’s hospitals were private.
- Patients in Australia face shorter wait times than in Canada. In 2020, 54% of Australians waited less than 4 weeks for a specialist compared to just 38% in Canada, and 72% waited less than 4 months for non-emergency surgery, compared to 62% in Canada. The Fraser Institute suggests that other countries, such as Canada, could benefit from adopting a similar approach to Australia in working with the private sector to deliver universal health care.
Australia’s Universal Health Care Outperforms Canada’s: Fraser Institute Study
Despite spending less on universal health care relative to its economy, Australia consistently outperforms Canada on key health metrics, according to a new study by the Canadian public policy think-tank, the Fraser Institute. The study highlights the significant role of private hospitals in Australia’s universal health care system.
“Australia and Canada are similar high-income western countries with universal health care. However, private hospitals play a crucial part in Australia’s health-care framework,” says Mackenzie Moir, policy analyst at the Fraser Institute.
According to the study, data from 2021/22 show that private hospitals provided 41.0% to 70.3% of all hospital and non-emergency surgical care in Australia. In 2016, almost half (48.5%) of Australia’s hospitals were privately run.
Australian patients also experience shorter wait times compared to Canadians. In 2020, 54% of Australians waited less than four weeks for a specialist, compared to only 38% in Canada. Moreover, 72% of Australians waited less than four months for non-emergency surgery, compared to Canada’s 62%.
Fraser Institute’s health policy studies director, Bacchus Barua, emphasized that “other countries, like Australia, deliver universal health care differently, often yielding better results.” He added that the study shows the possibility and benefits of collaborating with the private sector to deliver universal health care.
Media Contacts: Bacchus Barua, Director, Centre for Health Policy Studies, Fraser Institute and Mackenzie Moir, Policy Analyst, Centre for Health Policy Studies, Fraser Institute. Please contact Drue MacPherson at drue.macpherson@fraserinstitute.org for media interviews or more information.
Follow the Fraser Institute on Twitter | Like us on Facebook
The Fraser Institute is an independent Canadian think tank with global connections. It aims to enhance the quality of life for Canadians and future generations by studying and communicating the effects of government policies, entrepreneurship, and choice. Visit www.fraserinstitute.org for more information.
—
Read More Health & Wellness News ; US News
Leave a Comment