Until we can start talking the same language, referring to the same facts, we're never going to solve the problem. for my next exhibit, I'd like to present Michele Bachman's words in response to the State of the Union:
Quote:
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Unless we fully repeal Obamacare, the nation that currently enjoys the finest health care in the world might rely on government-run coverage that will have a devastating impact on our national debt for generations to come,
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Finest health care? Maybe if you have a spot at the concession stand. Let's look at the facts.
The CIA Fact Book says our life expectancy of 78.11 years is 50th, where Macau is #1 at over 84 years, Japan is #3 at 82, Australia and Canada are #7 & 8 at over 81 years. Countries like Greece (26th @ 79.6 years) and Bosnia (43rd @ 78.5) are ahead of us!
That's not "#1 performance" to me.
We have 10.3% of our population suffering from diabetes. Examples for comparison, Germany is 8.9%, Bosnia 7%, France 6.7%.
We have 2.43 physicians per 1,000 population as of 2007 ranking 23rd out of 30 listed countries. Worst was Turkey at 1.51. Others were the UK just in front of us with 2.48*. France is 14th at 3.37.
* - how come we're spending nearly twice what the UK spends per capita but they have slightly more doctors, per capita?
The WHO rates healt care systems:
1) France. 37) United States (between Costa Rica and Slovenia)
Infant mortality? The CIA Fact Book says Sweden is best with 2.74 deaths per 1,000 live births. France is at 3.31 and the U.S is 46th best at 6.14. *CUBA* is at 5.72!
Is THAT "#1 performance"?
The University of South Carolina did a study in 2000 that had us spending $4500 per person on health care. Switzerland was second at $3300 yet our life expectancy was over 3.5 years less than the Swiss!
Is THAT "#1 performance"?
The Commonwealth Fund (a private foundation that focuses on health care) said last year "America scored poorly in most of the five key areas of health service in comparison to the other six competitorsdespite the country's healthcare system being the most expensive in the world." ["the competitors" were Australia, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand and the United Kingdom]
Saying "We're #1" DOES NOT MAKE IT SO!
ANYONE who claims we are 'in danger' of 'losing' our '#1 status' IS PROCEEDING FROM A LIE.