What are social programs What are social programs What is the relationship between social programs and taxation What is the relationship between social programs and taxation A look at Health Care A look at Health Care AN INTRODUCTION INTO SOCIAL PROGRAMS

JUST WHAT ARE SOCIAL PROGRAMS These are services provided by the government and paid for through taxes These are services provided by the government and paid for through taxes The aim is to reduce economic inequalities in society and to promote the well being of all in society The aim is to reduce economic inequalities in society and to promote the well being of all in society =active =active =active =active Video 5 economics Video 5 economics

SO WHAT COUNTS AS A SOCIAL PROGRAMS Views differ, but common things include Views differ, but common things include Health care Health care Pensions for seniors Pensions for seniors Income assistance Income assistance Education Education Affordable housing Affordable housing Child protection services Child protection services Employment insurance Employment insurance Child care Child care

TRYING TO BALANCE PROGRAMS AND FUNDING the government budget contains two key aspects: Where it will spend its money(programs) and how it will pay for its expenditures (taxation and borrowing) the government budget contains two key aspects: Where it will spend its money(programs) and how it will pay for its expenditures (taxation and borrowing) The higher the levels of social programming supported by a government, the higher the level of taxation needed to support those programs The higher the levels of social programming supported by a government, the higher the level of taxation needed to support those programs

ATTITUDES ABOUT SOCIAL PROGRAMS: COMPARING THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA In Canada, governments generally support the idea of using taxes to support services to its citizens In Canada, governments generally support the idea of using taxes to support services to its citizens In the USA, governments support this idea less In the USA, governments support this idea less Current situations can impact the level of support for social programs Current situations can impact the level of support for social programs During boom times, typically there is less support for social programs During boom times, typically there is less support for social programs During bust times, typically there is more support for social programs During bust times, typically there is more support for social programs

HEALTH CARE IN CANADA In Canada, we have a public health care system In Canada, we have a public health care system That means that most of our health care is paid for by taxes That means that most of our health care is paid for by taxes There are some elective procedures that are paid for by the patient There are some elective procedures that are paid for by the patient In Canada, different levels of government provide the funding for different social programs In Canada, different levels of government provide the funding for different social programs The provincial governments have the responsibility for health care The provincial governments have the responsibility for health care

WHAT IS THE CANADA HEALTH ACT? Is a federal law that sets out five principles for health care in Canada Is a federal law that sets out five principles for health care in Canada 1. Publicly administered, run by the government 2. Comprehensive, for care provided by hospitals, physicians and surgeons 3. Universal, available to everyone 4. Portable, available everywhere in Canada, regardless where you make your home 5. Accessible, available within a reasonable time and distance

HEALTH CARE PROVISION IN THE USA Citizens with low incomes receive health care paid for by taxes Citizens with low incomes receive health care paid for by taxes All other citizens pay for their health insurance personally All other citizens pay for their health insurance personally In 2007, about 15% of people did not have health insurance In 2007, about 15% of people did not have health insurance Health Maintenance Organizations, known as HMOs provide most private health care coverage in the United States Health Maintenance Organizations, known as HMOs provide most private health care coverage in the United States

ARGUMENTS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH CARE All people have access to quality care regardless of income All people have access to quality care regardless of income Lower costs due to no incentive for profit Lower costs due to no incentive for profit Decisions made for medical reasons, not financial considerations Decisions made for medical reasons, not financial considerations Avoids two tiered service Avoids two tiered service Does not penalize people with poor genetic or family history Does not penalize people with poor genetic or family history

ARGUMENTS AGAINST PUBLIC HEALTH CARE No incentive to provide quality service due to monopoly No incentive to provide quality service due to monopoly True access is poor due to unacceptable waits for procedures True access is poor due to unacceptable waits for procedures People have no incentive to reduce the use on the system People have no incentive to reduce the use on the system People have less incentive to remain healthy People have less incentive to remain healthy Too expensive as a percentage of the budget Too expensive as a percentage of the budget Unsustainable as the population ages Unsustainable as the population ages

COMPETING VIEWS ON HEALTH CARE FRASER INSTITUTE FRASER INSTITUTE An lobby group that supports increased privatization in Canada's Health Care System An lobby group that supports increased privatization in Canada's Health Care System FRIENDS OF MEDICARE FRIENDS OF MEDICARE An lobby group that supports maintaining the publicly funded health care system in Canada An lobby group that supports maintaining the publicly funded health care system in Canada

REMEMBER ALL INFORMATION HAS A PURPOSE Fraser Institute Website Fraser Institute Website Taxes: A Canadian family's biggest expense Friends of Medicare Website Friends of Medicare Website Friends of Medicare WRONG WAY Alberta Health Cuts Campaign asp?mode=webpage&id=73 asp?mode=webpage&id=73 asp?mode=webpage&id=73 asp?mode=webpage&id=73