Daniel Cook (The World, Sept. 15) opines that the “United States has the best health care system in the world,” while acknowledging it is not perfect. Many others assert the same thing — “We are the best” — while decrying attempts to improve/reform the system. The idea that we are the best is flat out wrong.

The World Health Organization in 2000 ranked the health systems of 190 countries. The U.S. was 37th, bested by Canada, the United Kingdom and all the countries of Western Europe and Scandinavia.

France ranked number one. For example, life expectancy — France 81 years, U.S. 78 years. Doctors per 10,000 people — France 34, U.S. 26. Health spending as a percent of gross domestic product — France 11 percent, U.S. 15 percent.

A study by Ellen Nolte and Martin McKee published in the journal “Health Affairs,” last year, examined data on avoidable mortality in the year 2000 for 19 countries. France ranked number one with the lowest rate of avoidable deaths. The U.S., however, was in last place, with the highest rate of avoidable deaths, hardly an indicator of the best health care system in the world.

In a related matter, child wellbeing, using six criteria including healthy and safety, material well being and educational well being, UNICEF data for 2007 found children best off in the Netherlands. Of the 20 prosperous countries ranked, all four Scandinavian countries were in the top seven. Canada was number 12. The U.S. ranked 19.

As long as misinformation, misperception and outright lies mar the health care debate, U.S. health care policy is doomed to be controlled by those whose vested interest and heavy financial stake make them the major players. The U.S. is neither the best nor doing the best it can.

 

Dick and Judy Wagner

North Bend