AMSA Study Tours

Despite its vast wealth and economic power, the U.S. has the dubious distinction of being the only industrialized country in the entire world without universal healthcare. Indeed, every other country has made a commitment to guaranteeing healthcare to its citizens by setting up healthcare systems that are consistent with the country's political and cultural environment. In the past, AMSA has sought to increase medical student awareness of how other countries have achieved universal healthcare by sponsoring study tours in countries such as Cuba and China. Today, AMSA is continuing the tradition of medical student study tours by organizing trips to Canada and Europe.

SeaCouver Tour: What's the REAL deal with the Canadian healthcare system?

The Canadian single-payer system has been simultaneously the most applauded and most reviled healthcare systems in the American imagination. Many Americans believe there is great beauty in the system, which they see as administratively efficient, conceptually simple, and equitably delivered. Others abhor the idea of the Canadian system, which they see as an embodiment of "government inefficiency." On both sides of the debate, there are numerous myths and misperceptions that cloud any attempts at rational discussion of the two systems. AMSA continually attempts to find out the truth behind the Canadian healthcare system by organizing a U.S.-Canadian study tour. Read more about this tour.

Find out more in AMSA's International Healthcare Systems webpage.