So much for that talking point... PEW: Most Don't Think America Has the Best Health Care

[jefferson_dem]

Most Don't Think America Has the Best Health Care

Pew Research: "According to Americans, the United States does not have the best health care in the world. Most see our health care as average (32%) or below average (27%) when compared with health care in other industrialized countries. Only 15% support the often-used political talking point that America has the best health care in the world; 23% say it is above average. Republicans (28%) are far more likely than Democrats (9%) or independents (12%) to say American health care is the best in the world, and conservative Republicans are even more pro American health care (66% say it is the best in the world or above average)."

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2009/10/14/most_dont_think_america_has_the_best_health_care_.html?utm_campaign=pwire&utm_medium=pwire.us-twitter&utm_source=&utm_content=site-basic

[phleshdef]

1. My problem is the parsing of the word "care". Our care is great, its our coverage thats garbage.

[JuniperLea]

2. 15% huh?

I'm sure that's the same 15% that has 98% of the money.

[kestrel91316]

3. The 15% who think it's the best almost certainly have their premiums paid for by corporate employers

and a low or nonexistent deductible, and low or nonexistent co-pay.

[Cleita]

4. Even though I have access through Medicare, I have noticed the quality bar has

lowered because of the commercial interests' abuses from the past. Doctors spend less time with you and it sometimes takes months to get an appointment. Hospitals throw you out before they should even after difficult surgeries. ER's are overcrowded. I don't think the ordinary persons even with access are getting great care. Maybe the top 10% are but the rest of us aren't.

[RaleighNCDUer]

5. Parts of American healthcare is among the best in the world.

When I was a kid I could go to the doctor, get treated, and my folks never worried about the cost. I was a military brat, and had access to socialized medicine.

It was only later, after I got out of the military myself, that I realized how good I had it. The very idea that it could cost me a month's pay to get a wisdom tooth surgically extracted. How can ANYBODY get ahead of the game if they are minimum wage + 10% earners?

America - the best health care you can afford.

[depakid]

6. In general, most would be correct