jayeff

Don't you feel even a little guilty citing what is one of the least efficient, least cost-effective socialized health programs as your proof that "socialized medicine does not work"? After all, 4 out of 5 Canadians are unhappy with their system, but it is a long way from being the only example of socialized health care. Nor, despite its shortcomings, does it actually function too badly in keeping its citizens healthy.

Life expectancy for males in the US is 74.3 years, ranking the US 33rd in the world according to the United Nations: behind both Canada and the UK. Males in Sweden, home to one of the most extensive and cost-effective socialized health programs, live 5 years longer on average than US males.

The US does not rate any higher in terms of infant mortality, again lagging behind Canada, UK, Sweden and other countries that have socialized health care. For overall health care standards, the US is ranked 15th in the world by the WHO, with Canada 7th, Britain 9th, Sweden 4th. This is despite the fact - according to Johns Hopkins Institute reporting May 2003 - that the United States spends more on health per capita than any other nation: 44% more than Switzerland - the next biggest spender. "At the same time, Americans had fewer physician visits, and hospital stays were shorter compared with most other industrialized nations. The study suggests that the difference in spending is caused mostly by higher prices for health care goods and services in the United States."

If socialized medicine does not work, it would seem that the current system in the US isn't functioning too well either.

Japan BTW scores highest on almost every health indicator: it too operates a socialized health care program.