National Health Insurance in the United States and Canada

In "National Health Insurance in the United States and Canada," Gerard W. Boychuk probes the historical development of health care in each country, honing in on the most distinctive social and political aspects of each country-the politics of race in the U.S. and territorial politics in Canada especially the tensions between the national government and the province of Quebec. Boychuk sifts through the numerous factors shaping health policy, including national values, political culture and institutions, the power of special interests, and the impact of strategic choices made at critical junctures. Drawing on historical archives, oral histories, and public opinion data, he presents a nuanced and thoughtful analysis of the evolution of the two systems, compares them as they exist today, and reflects on how each is poised to meet the challenges of the future.