My Republican friends insist that our country has the best health care system of all industrialized nations. However, by every metric, that assertion is incorrect.
Even though the U.S. is the only country without a publicly financed universal health system, it still spends the most public dollars on health care. Despite having the costliest care, the U.S. ranks last among 11 industrialized countries on healthcare quality and access.
Would you believe that with the leading cause of personal bankruptcies, a full 42%, is the result of medical expenses? Another mind-boggling statistic is that 78% of those declaring bankruptcy are people who have health insurance. What does it say about a national healthcare system that forces so many of its citizens to declare bankruptcy?
I was amazed to learn that we rank 53rd in life expectancy. How is it possible that people in countries such as Bosnia, Jordan and Ireland live longer than we do?
My health provider is the federal government because I am on Medicare. It’s a fine system that works well and is cost effective. At some point in the future our politicians will recognize that a single payer system for health care will not only cover all Americans but will be less expensive. Perhaps then we will live longer and not have to go bankrupt if we get sick.
Ron Mandelbaum
619-435-1911
