Sunday, July 26, 2009
Simply put, we’re not the best
EDITOR:
The health care discussion needs to be conducted in light of facts, not opinion, fears, and bias.
There are many who say that the United States has the best health care system in the world, and that claim is used to support the position that we should not reform or change an already world class system. Unfortunately the data that is available seems to deny these most patriotic claims of “best in the world.”
While it is true that the United States leads the world in health care spending and that the United States is ranked first in responsiveness to it’s citizens demands, it’s overall health care performance is 37th. I was shocked to learn that the United States trails Japan, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Columbia, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Costa Rica and many others.
BOB ELSTON
New Middletown