A recent poll finds that 68% of Republicans think the US’ health care system is the world’s best.
Huh?
Are they really so brainwashed by the likes of O’Reilly, Limbaugh, and Coulter that they can’t see the reality staring them in their collective face?
Do they believe John McCain’s ‘straight talk’?
The health care system that costs twice as much as the average developed country and takes all that cash and delivers results on a par with many third-word countries?
A reality marked by access only via the ER for the uninsured (at 47 million and counting)?
A reality marked by billions in dollars for drugs that don’t do what their manufacturers claim?
Or is it just that the self-described Republicans (and I’m only speaking about the survey respondents) are part of the shrinking population of the self-satisfied and self-absorbed who don’t care that their neighbors are losing jobs and therefore health insurance?
Or are they…
Regardless of the rationale, or lack thereof, it is brutally clear that the respondents are an isolated, unique group with beliefs that are wildly different from their fellow Americans. Because when you compare their views to those of independents, the differences are striking.
A few samples from the survey –
- US has the best health care system in the world – GOP 68%, Dem 32%, Ind 40%
- Other countries have better systems – GOP 19% Dem 52% Ind 46%
- Is the US system better or worse than Canada’s – better – GOP 63%, Dem 25%, Ind 34%
- Worse than Canada’s? – GOP 16%, Dem 37%, Ind 36%
What does this mean?
GOP respondents are on one side of the chasm, with reality, and the independent voters who get that reality, on the other.
If US Health Care is so poor, then why do so many rich, famous, and powerful people travel from all over the world to have their ailments taken care of on US soil? The system may not be perfect, but I’d much rather have what is in place today rather that what is in place in any other country. Remember this – places like Canada, Britain, and Germany require worker’s to pay 50% or more of their salary to socialist programs. Is this really better?
Riddle: Have you ever heard of Medical Tourism? People in the US are traveling to Thailand, Mexico, Venezuela and India for health care. Yes, it’s true! We rank behind all of the Western nations in both quality and cost and currently lead only in Cancer. I love the U.S. but we can only be better if we take the blinders off and look at how we can improve.
There are just way too many point to make, but here goes a couple. First, The United States is a population of 300 million people. Let’s just say that Canada and other third world countries are less populated. These studies regarding our quality of care vs third world countires are just suspect regarding the validity. Look at the countries that rank anhead of America. Do you really want to go there for your back surgery?
Our care is the best in the world, when people take an active role in their healthcare.
Socialism is just not the way to go. Our “free” healthcare under a social program won’t be so free.
This is not Sweden with 8 mil population.
Finally, Joe, you need to look at controlling variables in research. Maybe people that are Republican take a more active role in their healthcare, or live in better healthcare access areas, think differently about care, etc… I am a Republican and my healthcare is excellent. If I want an MRI, I can get it done today. Can the rest of those third world countries do that for me?
Its funny you quote Ann Coulter’s article. Did you read it? Or just see the name Ann Coulter and healthcare and lazily paste it together. Explain how you think trial lawyers and the current tort system should be vital cogs in healthcare reform. I’m sure they have absolutely nothing to do with how much we spend.
What do liberal Canadian politicians think of US health care ?
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/256600
What does a not for profit hospital based in the USA do to make more $$$ ?
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06164/697704-28.stm
http://www.upmc.com/Communications/MediaRelations/NewsReleaseArchives/2008/February/IrelandBMG.htm
I wonder if these guys @ UPMC are all a bunch of clueless republicans too…?
For more fun and games just google: ” UPMC Expands” …
BTW… UPMC isn’t the only one doing this: “…UPMC’s move overseas is part of a trend at many of the country’s largest medical centers looking for new business opportunities and prestige….”
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08057/860408-28.stm
The bottom line is the bottom line… health care is big (very big) business. Can you smell the coffee brewing yet ? Or can only democrats who have a higher intellect get this ?
Brian – your argument re population density is completely irrelevant. Before you start claiming US health care is great, do your research re outcomes for back surgery or any other type of outcome. Don’t spout polemics, talk facts. Health care is evaluated on a population basis. If you only evaluated health care based on what people who could afford it received, Haiti would be way up there above Switzerland.
Re controlling variables, I have neither the time nor the energy to educate you on the basics of statistics. Go do your own research and when you have facts that support your perspective come back. And not until.
Dingo – anyone who reads Coulter seriously is not our target market.
TOJ – I debunked the post about an unusual Canadian incident earlier. see past posts.
Unfortunately, the Republicans with higher intellects didn’t respond to this post. Except you TOJ.
I wonder… If the “other countries” out there had such wonderful health care why would our health care providers be involved in such matters as managing and building hospitals in Europe and Dubai? After all, if Cleveland Clinic and UPMC’s services cost so much why would foreign governments be doing business with these American providers of health care?
“…The Clinic has forged partnerships in Austria, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, and is looking at markets in China and Eastern Europe…”
http://blog.cleveland.com/medical/2008/02/cleveland_clinic_ceo_says_glob.html
If health care in those other countries is “better” than what we have here what would our hospitals be doing over there anyhow?
“…The goal is to provide the same quality of care in China that one would receive in Cleveland…”
http://blog.cleveland.com/business/2008/01/_by_peter_krouse_plain.html
So maybe they want lower quality and more expensive care in China – “USA style”?
please don’t confuse health care system with health care technology and medical care. The system refers to the infrastructure of how and where services are provided to the population. This is where the the U.S. fails in providing ALL of its citizens with affordable quality care as a SYSTEM.
That is so true