FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE–February 7, 2005
Kim Becker, Director of Public Relations
Phone: (703) 620-6600, ext. 207
Email: prel@www.amsa.org
Web: www.amsa.org
MEDICAL STUDENTS EXPOSE DIFFERENCES WITHIN U.S. AND CANADIAN
HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS
Reston, Va. – The American Medical Student Association (AMSA), the nation’s largest, independent medical student organization, announces the second annual “Sea-Couver,” a hands-on study tour in Seattle, Wash. and Vancouver, British Columbia that provides medical students the opportunity to compare the U.S. and Canadian health care systems. Students will gain first-hand knowledge of health care delivery in the two countries by touring clinics, talking with patients, and learning from physicians, medical students and policymakers.
The students will compare the publicly-funded, privately-administered Canadian health care system to the fragmented, public-private U.S. healthcare financing system. The United States, while spending over $1.6 trillion on health care annually, remains the only industrialized nation that does not guarantee health care for all citizens. Canada spends far less on health care and guarantees coverage for all its citizens. In addition, students will discuss and compare health care quality indicators, prescription drug costs, medical education and physician satisfaction. At the end of the excursion, students will present their findings at their individual medical schools and facilitate additional education for future
healthcare providers.
As a continuation from last year, participants will videotape “man-on-the-street” interviews. Students interview citizens, policy experts, physicians and patients on their experiences within the two systems. AMSA used last year’s footage to compile a documentary on universal health care. The documentary captured real views on healthcare and is now used as an educational tool on medical school campuses nationwide.
“This generation of physicians inherits a disjointed healthcare system that leaves 45 million people without insurance and millions more without a continuous relationship with the doctor of their choice,” says Dr. Brian Palmer, AMSA national president. “As medical schools often lack adequate health policy education, AMSA offers this opportunity for students to educate themselves and their colleagues about the two health care systems, as we continue to build a better system to serve all patients.”
Filmmaker Michael Moore is working on an expose of the U.S. healthcare system for his next documentary. AMSA believes that universal health care is long overdue and commends the project, as it should bring immense public exposure to the effort of creating affordable healthcare for all.
For over 50 years, AMSA has empowered medical students to continually improve our health care system locally, statewide and nationally for the benefit of our future patients. For more information on AMSA’s universal health care strategic priority, please visit: www.amsa.org/hp/uhcinitiative.cfm.
About the American Medical Student Association
The American Medical Student Association (AMSA), with more than a half-century history of medical student activism, is the oldest and largest independent association of physicians-in-training in the United States. Founded in 1950, AMSA is a student-governed, non-profit organization committed to representing the concerns of physicians-in-training. With nearly 50,000 members, including medical and premedical students, residents and practicing physicians, AMSA is committed to improving medical training as well as advancing the profession of medicine. AMSA focuses on four strategic priorities, including universal healthcare, disparities in medicine, diversity in medicine and transforming the culture of medical education.
To learn more about AMSA, our strategic priorities, or joining the organization, please visit us online at www.amsa.org.
