posted by i.n.kazar
Countries in order of life expectancy, as reported by the CIA Factbook, with details on the health care systems of some of the countries (enough to communicate my point) as reported by the World Health Organization and other sources. Oh, and by the way, many of the governments topping the list have panels empowered to examine health expenditures in the final year(s) of life. Contrary to the 'death panel' hysteria promoted by groups in the U.S. that wish to preserve our lovely status quo, countries whose governments take stock of the expenses and questions of dignity at end-of-life have the LONGEST life expectancy. If you don't believe me, click some of my links and do some reading for yourselves, instead of just repeating what your favorite columnists and radio hosts might be spouting.
1. Macau: 84.36 years -- Mixture of government-provided healthcare and private services overseen by the government. (WHO and Wikipedia)
[hmmm... not the U.S.? where we are not subjected to "the nightmares of government-controlled medicine"?]
2. Andorra: 82.51 years -- 92% of the population covered by the government health agency (WHO pdf)
3. Japan: 82.12 years -- "In the Japanese health care system, healthcare services, including screening examinations for particular diseases at no direct cost to the patient, prenatal care, and infectious disease control, are provided by national and local governments. Payment for personal medical services is offered through a universal health care insurance system that provides relative equality of access, with fees set by a government committee. People without insurance through employers can participate in a national health insurance program administered by local governments. Since 1983[1], all elderly persons have been covered by government-sponsored insurance. Patients are free to select physicians or facilities of their choice.... It is compulsory to be enrolled in a Japanese insurance program if you are a resident of Japan." (Wikipedia)
"The basic principle governing the delivery of health care services is that all citizens should be able, at any time and place, to receive the care they require, with an affordable personal contribution.
"The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced a health promotion programme, the National Health Promotion Movement in the 21st Century (Healthy Japan 21), in 2000. The movement, unlike traditional programmes, emphasizes ‘primary prevention’, aiming at early detection and treatment of diseases." (WHO)
4. Singapore: 81.98 years -- "There is a dual system of health care delivery. The public system is managed by the Government, while the private system is provided by private hospitals and general practitioners." (WHO)
[OK but where's the U.S., did you skip it??]
5. San Marino: 81.97 years
6. Hong Kong: 81.86 years
7. Australia: 81.63 years -- "Australia’s health care system is a partnership between the Federal, State and Territory, and local governments. Through the Health and Ageing portfolio, the Federal Government provides national leadership, determines national policies and outcomes, and shares responsibility for funding services....
"The system is complex, with delivery provided by both the public and private sectors." (WHO)
8. Canada: 81.23 years -- "Canada has an extensive social security network, including old age pension, family allowance, employment insurance and social assistance. Basic health care is provided to all Canadians through a universal free health care system." (WHO)
9. France: 80.98 years
10. Sweden: 80.86 years
13. Israel: 80.73 years
19. Italy: 80.20 years
[WHAT ABOUT THE U.S.?!]
23. Spain: 80.05 years
30. Netherlands: 79.40 years
36. United Kingdom: 79.01 years
38. Jordan: 78.87 years
40. South Korea: 78.72 years
50. United States: 78.11 years
Free Flow of Information for whom?
10 years ago
a small note: This puts the United States outside of the top 20%. There are 224 governments listed by the CIA.
ReplyDeleteJapan, and other countries, have the right idea. The #1 way to save taxpayer dollars in the health care arena will be to do away with these big insurance companies. Millions of people cannot afford the inflated rates, so they don't seek preventative care, and then put a HUGE strain on the hospital system by ending up in the ER.
ReplyDeleteAlso, insurance companies don't even cover the full cost of overhead for providers and hospitals! They pay out about the same as Medicaid and Medicare, about 70% worth of the provider's overhead.
Additionally, YOUR HEALTH CARE IS ALREADY RATIONED! Whether you're on Medicare, Medicaid, or with a private insurance company.... THEY CAP YOUR CARE IN A CATASTROPHIC EENT AT A CERTAIN DOLLAR AMOUNT REGARDLESS OF HOW MUCH YOU'VE PAID IN PREMIUMS IN THE PAST.
AND... Providers' and hospitals' overhead costs are GREATLY increased because they have to hire individuals specifically to handle insurance claims.
WAKE UP. Any plan this Congress comes up with will be a total sham and feed right back into the insurance companies' pockets unless there is a SINGLE PAYER/PUBLIC OPTION included. If all the bill does is require everybody to get health care, then the hundreds of thousands of young healthy people who opt out of buying health care (those that the insurance companies REALLY WANT), will be forced to fatten the pockets of corporate criminals.
"Reform" is not happening. Obama recently met with pharmaceutical companies and said to them (essentially) "If you promise me now that you're gonna cut back waste, I won't push for reform that could hurt your business." I'm so disappointed.