If false and misleading ads from the private for profit health insurance companies and their cohorts were debated objectively by responsible journalists, the healthcare reform debate would be over. If Congress follows the will of the people and the facts that are readily available on the internet from reputable objective organizations, the healthcare debate would be over.
Fact:
It is mathematically impossible for a for profit private insurer to be less expensive than a public not for profit insurance giving the same benefits. It is for this reason why insurers are fighting the public option. They must convince you that basic arithmetic does not apply here. Of course it does.
Fact:
Medicare’s administrative cost is between a low of 2 percent and a high of 6 percent. Private for profit insurance ranges from 16 percent to over 30% in administrative costs. In other words for every thousand dollars you pay in premiums 300 of those dollars go into the pockets of shareholders, overpaid executives, advertising and other costs. Those are dollars that could have been used to lower healthcare costs.
Fact:
US Healthcare as % of GDP: 15.3%
Canada Healthcare as % of GDP: 10%
Fact:
US Per Capita Cost of Healthcare: $6714.00
Canada Per Capita Cost of Healthcare: $3,678.00
Fact:
Government Spending on Healthcare Per Capita is 23% higher in the US than Canada.
Fact:
Canadian health outcomes are better than ours.
Fact:
Canadian health outcomes are better than ours.
|
Basic Statistics |
U.S. |
Canada |
|
Life Expectancy (Male) |
74.8 |
77.4 |
|
Life Expectancy (Female) |
80.1 |
82.4 |
|
Infant Mortality/1000 live births |
6.8 |
5.3 |
|
Obesity Rate (Male) |
31.1 |
17.0 |
|
Obesity Rate (Female) |
32.2 |
19.0 |
|
HC spending as % of GDP (2005) |
16.0% |
10.4% |
Fact:
Accusations by for profit health insurers and their cohorts stating that government will take over healthcare delivery are false. It is a fact that for profit insurance today tells you which doctor you can see. It is a fact that for profit insurance tells you what medical procedure you can have. It is a fact that for profit insurance tells you which hospital you can use. It is a fact that for profit insurance tells your doctor which drugs you may be prescribed. It is a fact that for profit insurance selectively rescind your coverage if they can find away to qualify your medical condition as pre-existing. It is a fact that for profit insurance will not insure those with pre-existing conditions.
If we stick to the facts healthcare reform will be realized
Links:
Most People Support Public Option
Cost of Administering Healthcare in US Versus Canada Versus All Countries
The New England Journal Of Medicine
World Health Organization Core Health Indicators
