Health care in the US compared to others

Found an interest in the current debate on health care in the US.

Health care in the US is known to be the most advanced in the world. They often have the best treatments and the shorter lines for access to specialists. As I mentioned earlier 46m people are uninsured whereof 9.7m are not American citizens.

However, arguments for publicly funded health care abound. The US spent US$6714 per capita but Canada spent US$3678 in 2006. Furthermore, the US ranked only 22nd in infant mortality, 46th in life expectancy, and 37th in health system performance. As Obama points out this gives American business a higher load since health care is often paid by the employer.

Obama's program would mean that coverage should be independent of previous health status as would premiums. A single-payer system would greatly reduce administrative costs. 56% of democrats would support a presidential candidate that wanted to make the US health care system more similar to that of other countries. 37% of independents and 19% of republicans would support such a candidate.

According to Obama one of the main problems with the health care system is that its costs are rising faster than inflation and the growth of the economy. A June 2009 New York Times/CBS poll claimed that 85% of Americans support a fundamental restructuring of the health care system. 60% would be willing to pay more tax for everyone to get coverage. However, people are uneasy with the prospect of more government involvement. A June 2009 Washington Post/ABC poll said that 58% of people thought "government reform as necessary to stall skyrocketing costs and expand coverage for the uninsured".