Apparently, the World Health Organization (the WHO) ranked and rated 191 counties health care services a few years ago. Now who would question the rankings and ratings of such a highly respected organization as the United Nations? (The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health.) Now, I absolutely trust the United Nations and have the utmost respect for this organization. (snicker!)
To cut to the chase: America ranked a meager 37th out of 191 (slightly ahead of Cuba and Slovenia). Simply amazing! To verify this rating and what is within the report check out: (www.photius.com/rankings/healthranks/html).
Well, the real irony I discovered by doing my own research of their report is: Who did WHO ask to rate their countries systems? The receivers of services - you and me? NO.! The WHO went directly to the providers of services - and, some providers did not even live in their respective countries. The WHO's reasoning, "interviewing the experts is a much more appropriate way to elicit this information than interviewing the people who live in these countries". They, the WHO also asserted: "how well a health care system performs is too complex for the general public to understand". Now ain't that nice! The WHO feels we do not know how well our treatments by doctors and hospitals are....! (Look the report up yourself to verify the WHO's positions).
I think that any divergence in perceptions between WHO and you or I on performance raises very serious questions. Who better to know the performance of their own doctors and hospitals services than you or me. Why would they even consider interviewing service provides only and why even providers from outside the country?
Recently, I met a middle aged couple from England who were visiting friends of ours. Discussions drifted to our health care and their system. Honestly, their comment was "why would we (Americans) want to socialize our system, theirs (Englands) is "broke". Then they told me (in early June) "that as of August of this year their government's healthcare funding would be running out and extreme cases would be receiving higher priority". Their own words. Sounds like something we may be getting into if the President and our law makers have their way with overhauling our healthcare system.
Now, I ask you, who do you think leads the world in Nobel Prizes for Medicine and Chemistry and why? Americans do - since 1901, 192 prizes were awarded in Medicine - 85 went to Americans, for Chemistry - 60 went to Americans. I don't want awards to infer anything except that our research in medicine is exceptional. And, yes, medicine development costs are high. I know research demands higher costs to continue developing more improved medicines. Our doctors have at their disposal the latest equipment and facilities known to man. Again, research! And, lastly, if American doctors do not provide exceptional services, they do not get repeat patients - this is how a free market system functions.
I worked for over 30 years so that I can provide my family with the best medical services available in the world. I am very happy with my medical services and options. Could it be better - yes! But, don't reform everything. I had open heart surgery and did not even considered going anywhere else in the world to have the surgery (I was so weak after the surgery I couldn't start a FA*T much less stop one in progress - thats another story, for another time). I understand and read often the numbers of people coming to America to receive treatment. We are a giving society and will continue to give where necessary.
The president in one of his speeches made a point of equating FEDEX and UPS to profit makers (apparently now a bad term) and, how the US Postal services was not profitable (apparently a teleprompter glitch). Well, when the US Postal service does not make a profit (and that's quite often), who do they turn to to get more money? WE and the government gives them more money to bail them out. Where does this money come from - through higher postage rates and higher taxes! Now our government actually wants to fix HealthCare too. They say it won't cost us any more to accomplish this task! Right! Who then will consider doing the research to develop new drugs, new equipment, etc. if we do not allow companies to make a profit? Duh!
What our elected officials should be doing is looking into the treatments and medical services our Veterans are currently receiving. They the one who need the best medicines and services this country can offer. And, the services should not be provided from within antiquated hospitals. If our government has to start somewhere, let them begin where there is a greater need! Help the VETERANS!!!! I GUARANTEE THAT WOULD COST MONEY, BUT, i don't mind putting my money where it is needed most! (And there's another but...)
To cut to the chase: America ranked a meager 37th out of 191 (slightly ahead of Cuba and Slovenia). Simply amazing! To verify this rating and what is within the report check out: (www.photius.com/rankings/healthranks/html).
Well, the real irony I discovered by doing my own research of their report is: Who did WHO ask to rate their countries systems? The receivers of services - you and me? NO.! The WHO went directly to the providers of services - and, some providers did not even live in their respective countries. The WHO's reasoning, "interviewing the experts is a much more appropriate way to elicit this information than interviewing the people who live in these countries". They, the WHO also asserted: "how well a health care system performs is too complex for the general public to understand". Now ain't that nice! The WHO feels we do not know how well our treatments by doctors and hospitals are....! (Look the report up yourself to verify the WHO's positions).
I think that any divergence in perceptions between WHO and you or I on performance raises very serious questions. Who better to know the performance of their own doctors and hospitals services than you or me. Why would they even consider interviewing service provides only and why even providers from outside the country?
Recently, I met a middle aged couple from England who were visiting friends of ours. Discussions drifted to our health care and their system. Honestly, their comment was "why would we (Americans) want to socialize our system, theirs (Englands) is "broke". Then they told me (in early June) "that as of August of this year their government's healthcare funding would be running out and extreme cases would be receiving higher priority". Their own words. Sounds like something we may be getting into if the President and our law makers have their way with overhauling our healthcare system.
Now, I ask you, who do you think leads the world in Nobel Prizes for Medicine and Chemistry and why? Americans do - since 1901, 192 prizes were awarded in Medicine - 85 went to Americans, for Chemistry - 60 went to Americans. I don't want awards to infer anything except that our research in medicine is exceptional. And, yes, medicine development costs are high. I know research demands higher costs to continue developing more improved medicines. Our doctors have at their disposal the latest equipment and facilities known to man. Again, research! And, lastly, if American doctors do not provide exceptional services, they do not get repeat patients - this is how a free market system functions.
I worked for over 30 years so that I can provide my family with the best medical services available in the world. I am very happy with my medical services and options. Could it be better - yes! But, don't reform everything. I had open heart surgery and did not even considered going anywhere else in the world to have the surgery (I was so weak after the surgery I couldn't start a FA*T much less stop one in progress - thats another story, for another time). I understand and read often the numbers of people coming to America to receive treatment. We are a giving society and will continue to give where necessary.
The president in one of his speeches made a point of equating FEDEX and UPS to profit makers (apparently now a bad term) and, how the US Postal services was not profitable (apparently a teleprompter glitch). Well, when the US Postal service does not make a profit (and that's quite often), who do they turn to to get more money? WE and the government gives them more money to bail them out. Where does this money come from - through higher postage rates and higher taxes! Now our government actually wants to fix HealthCare too. They say it won't cost us any more to accomplish this task! Right! Who then will consider doing the research to develop new drugs, new equipment, etc. if we do not allow companies to make a profit? Duh!
What our elected officials should be doing is looking into the treatments and medical services our Veterans are currently receiving. They the one who need the best medicines and services this country can offer. And, the services should not be provided from within antiquated hospitals. If our government has to start somewhere, let them begin where there is a greater need! Help the VETERANS!!!! I GUARANTEE THAT WOULD COST MONEY, BUT, i don't mind putting my money where it is needed most! (And there's another but...)
Hey, I wrote a long blog back then accidentally deleted it. I will save that soap box for another time but shucks it was good.
ReplyDeleteC Beard