Healthcare: Ultimate outcomes

Today President Barack Obama addressed the AMA (American Medical Association) to talk about our broken healthcare system in the belly of the beast. Whay do I say the belly of the beast? Because the members of the AMA have opposed President Obama's call for the types of reforms the country need. He did a great job today with his speech. I listened to the whole thing live and recommend others listen to it as well.

I was thinking about medical outcomes as a result of his speech. He talked about unnecessary tests being done which drive costs up and don't really improve the outcome for the patient. Many have criticized the idea of a public option for Americans. They say this is nothing more than an attempt to have a Single Payer system. The critics talk about long waits for medical care and cite Canada as an example, as well as other countries which have national healthcare. Michael Moore addressed some of the critics in his last movie, Sicko". This is another movie worth seeing. So I gave more thought about what outcome is the most important outcomes to evaluate these different systems. I came up with Life Expectancy data. After all isn't that what we are all trying to do, live as long as we can and as healthy as we can? So here is some interesting data you might not be aware of.

Where do you think the US ranks in Life expectancy compared to other countries and where does counties like Canada rank? Here's the data based upon UN member Countries:

1. Japan (82.6 years)
2. Hong Kong
3. Iceland
4. Switzerland
5. Australia
6. Spain
7. Sweden
8. Israel
9. Macau
10. France
11. Canada * (80.7 years)
12. Italy
13 New Zealand * (80.2 years)
14. Norway
15. Singapore
16. Austria
17. Netherlands
18. Martinique
19. Greece
20. Belgium
21. Malta
22. United Kingdom* (79.4 years)
23. Germany
24. U.S. Virgin Islands
25. Finland
26. Guadeloupe
27. Channel Islands
28. Cyprus
29. Ireland
30. Costa Rica * (78.8 years)
31. Puerto Rico
32. Luxembourg
33. United Arab Emirates
34. South Korea
35. Chile * (78.6 years)
36. Denmark
37. Cuba * (78.3 years)
38. United States (78.2 years)

* Countries with National Healthcare or Single Payer systems

If you want the rest, click on this link.

So the question seems to be this, Is our medical system really as good as it should be? Looking at the data, countries which have Single payer systems, seem to outlive us.

The world is a little different today in a good way

With voters from Pakistan winning a resounding victory over President Musharraf's ruling party and with Kosovo gaining its Independence yesterday as well, we add one more change to the International picture, Fidel Castro resigns as President in Cuba. In less than a year, the United States will also be a part of a changing world, when we first announce a new President, hopefully Barack Obama, and then we bid farewell to the worst President in the history of this country, President Bush. There indeed are better times coming!

New Arms Race: Don't blame Putin, blame Bush and Cheney

For those who say that we only have another year and a half of George Bush and why waste the energy and divisiveness in the country to start impeachment hearings, I say look at the dangers out there and how Bush responds. Today Russian President Putin warned the US and EU allies they are playing with fire when they consider installation of Missiles in former Soviet Block countries so close to Russia.

I don't blame President Putin. How did we feel when the then Soviet Union was installing Ballistic Missiles right next door in Cuba? This "strategy" from the same President Bush who said, "I can see into the very soul of President Putin". Well Mr. President you misjudged and misread Mr. Putin, you squandered and wasted that relationship, as well. This is reminiscent of the time when the whole world was with us after 9/11 and this President squandered that too and invaded Iraq. Can't you see we need to put this President and Vice President on defense, as when they are on offense they offend everyone!

Gov. Bill Richardson needed for this world crisis

It's time to consider using the talents of Gov. Bill Richardson to mediate the warring parties. His skill in negotiations is well known. He won the release of prisoners in North Korea, the release of Red Cross workers by the government of Sudan, and also negotiated a 60-day cease-fire in war torn Dafur. He has also won release of prisoners and negotiated successfully with Cuba and Iraq's Saddam Hussein.

So this true American hero should be placed once again in action to the service of his country and must be sent to deal with another difficult leader who walks to his own beat and doesn't listen to anyone. That leader is President Bush! Good luck Gov. Richardson! Our prayers are with you for the safe return of our troops from Iraq.