Why Claiming US Has 'Best Health System' Is a Sick Joke

[xchrom]

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2012/12/28-3



s the American health care system "the best in the world"? If so, perhaps Oregon is spinning its wheels trying to fix a health care system some U.S. congressmen say isn't broken. Let's hear what these national leaders say and then check reality.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell says, "We do start with the notion, however, that we have the best health care in the world." If McConnell had diabetes, he might pause. American diabetics suffer twice as many foot amputations as diabetics in Europe because they cannot afford care to prevent foot infections from turning deadly.

House Speaker John Boehner says we have "the best health care delivery system in the world." But there are 35 other countries in which a pregnant woman and her baby have a better chance of surviving the pregnancy. The United States leads the industrialized world in deaths preventable with timely care. There are 15 other nations providing every citizen with lifesaving treatments denied to many unfortunate Americans.

During one of his presidential debates, Sen. John McCain said the U.S. offers "the highest quality of health care in the world." Did he overlook statistics on lung disease? Americans with emphysema are 25 percent more likely to need hospitalization than people in France (the country with the best record). Asthmatics suffer worse: American asthmatics are eight times more likely to need urgent care than those in France.

[Egalitarian Thug]

1. We do. You will never get into any of the best places, though.

Although we do not have a monopoly on the bet health care on earth, many of the very best options are here.

But unless you are very rich or very lucky you will never get that care.

[Downwinder]

2. Case on point.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/11426475

[DryHump]

3. So true -

-we can provide great care but we fail in affordability and availability.

[sorefeet]

4. Doctors vow to "do no harm nor injustice"

UNLESS it interferes with policy or profit, then it doesn't matter what the fuck they do or don't do. I have been lied to,backstabbed and done just plain dirty by more than one doctor. I literally do not trust ANY doctor anymore. Way too many bad experiences dealing with someone who's priority is their own dept from medical school, a BMW or the material and power world of a doctor.
La La La La (fingers in ears)
You can't pin that on me
Now what is that (banging on my chest) I said you mean the sternum, YEAH thats it sternum
Truth be known they are (blacks) there (walmart) in the first place to steal.
Teminal end stage liver disease. Prescribe Lyrica for pain.
Just some of the many stupid remarks I have heard from doctors

Ever actually see your records???
I own a ranch (never, not even a house)
I drank a case of beer everyday for 15 years ( are you fucking kidding me)
The American medical community is a very dangerous place