Master Betty wrote:

What do you think needs fixing?


The millions of uninsured and our declining standard of care compared
to the rest of the world. Do some research on the life expectancy of
Americans as opposed to other industrialized countries. We are losing
the race in hc and it's a damn shame our congress can't stand up to
the insurance, drug companies and lawyers.

Our standard of care far exceeds that in any other part of the world. There
are about 200 MRI machines in all of Canada. We've got that many in my town!

Life expectancy is not a precise metric for health care. Deaths are caused
by many things, including:

* Auto collisions
* Gang warfare
* Terrorism
* War
* Justifiable homicide (self defense) & suicides
* Industrial accidents
* Executions of criminals
* Infant deaths which in other countries are called "stillborn"

When someone plows into a bridge abutment at 100 mph, he's dead long before
the health care delivery system gets a chance to become involved. This can't
happen in, for example, Cuba because a) They don't have any cars that can GO
100 mph and b) Their bridges are made of wood (or straw).



Not sure where you got your figures but I'm not going to get into that
numbers debate. I think the US standing in the world with regards to
quality of hc is enough of a wake up call.

Huh? Consider five year survival rates after diagnosis of:
Breast Cancer
US - 84% (leads industrialized world)
Canada - 82.5%
Australia - 81%
UK - 70%
http://seminal.firedoglake.com/diary/7278

Overall cancer in men:
US - 66%
All Europe - 47%

Overall cancer in women:
US - 63%
All Europe - 56%
http://www.thenewatlantis.com/public...ism-and-cancer

Similar results obtain for cardiovascular disease, renal and liver failure,
and many other major maladies. The United States ranks at the very top, by
any criteria, in the treatment of most chronic diseases and very near the
top on the rest.

In 2006 - the last year for which numbers are available - the CDC reports
that the total number of deaths from cancer DROPPED by 6% and deaths from
heart disease dropped by 8%! This is the first time in recorded history
where the absolute number of deaths actually dropped for these diseases.


The granny debate is an issue I refuse to debate. It's just ridicules.
Healthcare IS already rationed. Always will be. Nobody has talked
about euthanasia except the wackos.

It's not euthanasia to deny care or offer only pallative care. It's called
"cost containment."