Inefficient US Heath Care System Causes Drop in Life Expectancy

[Sunstone]

"A new study says life expectancy in the United States has plunged over the last decade. According to Health Affairs, the US now ranks forty-ninth in the world in life expectancy, down from twenty-fourth place in 1999. The study authors cited what they called the United States’ "uniquely inefficient" healthcare system as the primary cause."

Source

I'm interested in how or on what grounds people are going to rationalize away or dismiss this report? If this report is to be believed, then how do you think they will do that?

Also, if you are a US citizen, and you consider this report to be accurate, then what do you make of the fact you are likely to die sooner than you need to merely because your country lacks the political will to fix its health care system?

Last, how should one rationalize that away so that one can go one's happy way again? What's the most persuasive BS for dismissing the facts here, assuming they are indeed facts?

 

[Twilight Hue]

I'm more inclined to follow a study that is not overtly influenced by its political agendas. Hard to do. Sad really.

Personally I think the local obituary column is a more accurate medium to ascertain if folks are indeed dying at a younger age than in the past.

 

[Revoltingest]

"A new study says life expectancy in the United States has plunged over the last decade. According to Health Affairs, the US now ranks forty-ninth in the world in life expectancy, down from twenty-fourth place in 1999. The study authors cited what they called the United States’ "uniquely inefficient" healthcare system as the primary cause."

Source

I didn't see a study in the linked article. Do you have another one? It also seems odd that life expectancy would plunge due to health care, given that we've made advances in medicine.
If it dropped relative to other countries, that would seem more plausible since they'd be improving far more. I wonder how they factored in other factors, such as our worse diet.

 

[Engyo]

"A new study says life expectancy in the United States has plunged over the last decade. According to Health Affairs, the US now ranks forty-ninth in the world in life expectancy, down from twenty-fourth place in 1999. The study authors cited what they called the United States’ "uniquely inefficient" healthcare system as the primary cause."

Source

I'm interested in how or on what grounds people are going to rationalize away or dismiss this report? If this report is to be believed, then how do you think they will do that?

Also, if you are a US citizen, and you consider this report to be accurate, then what do you make of the fact you are likely to die sooner than you need to merely because your country lacks the political will to fix its health care system?

Last, how should one rationalize that away so that one can go one's happy way again? What's the most persuasive BS for dismissing the facts here, assuming they are indeed facts?

This proves that we must repeal Obamacare immediately!{/sarcasm]

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

I didn't see a study in the linked article. Do you have another one? It also seems odd that life expectancy would plunge due to health care, given that we've made advances in medicine.
If it dropped relative to other countries, that would seem more plausible since they'd be improving far more. I wonder how they factored in other factors, such as our worse diet.

health advances and new medication is a separate issue.
The UK health system would also be better, if cost were not a factor. Some new advances are only available to those rich enough to afford them, otherwise they fall out side the private health insurance, or government health service parameters.

In the US it is even worse as fewer people have full coverage.

In money no object medicine, there is little difference between any country.

 

[Revoltingest]

health advances and new medication is a separate issue.

They affect life expectancy, making their effect relevant to the OP.

The UK health system would also be better, if cost were not a factor. Some new advances are only available to those rich enough to afford them, otherwise they fall out side the private health insurance, or government health service parameters.
In the US it is even worse as fewer people have full coverage.
In money no object medicine, there is little difference between any country.

All fine opinions, but they don't address my questions about the claim in the OP.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

Health care is less equal in the USA than many western countries.
So why are you surprised by the death rates.

 

[Skwim]

Health care is less equal in the USA than many western countries.
So why are you surprised by the death rates.

The United States is the only wealthy, industrialized nation that does not have a universal health care system.
( Source: Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences)

Countries with universal health care.

Country-- Start Date of Universal Health Care-- System Type

Norway 1912 Single Payer
New Zealand 1938 Two Tier
Japan 1938 Single Payer
Germany 1941 Insurance Mandate
Belgium 1945 Insurance Mandate
United Kingdom 1948 Single Payer
Kuwait 1950 Single Payer
Sweden 1955 Single Payer
Bahrain 1957 Single Payer
Brunei 1958 Single Payer
Canada 1966 Single Payer
Netherlands 1966 Two-Tier
Austria 1967 Insurance Mandate
United Arab Emirates 1971 Single Payer
Finland 1972 Single Payer
Slovenia 1972 Single Payer
Denmark 1973 Two-Tier
Luxembourg 1973 Insurance Mandate
France 1974 Two-Tier
Australia 1975 Two Tier
Ireland 1977 Two-Tier
Italy 1978 Single Payer
Portugal 1979 Single Payer
Cyprus 1980 Single Payer
Greece 1983 Insurance Mandate
Spain 1986 Single Payer South
Korea 1988 Insurance Mandate
Iceland 1990 Single Payer
Hong Kong 1993 Two-Tier
Singapore 1993 Two-Tier
Switzerland 1994 Insurance Mandate
Israel 1995 Two-Tier
source
​

In 2006, the percentage of Americans without health insurance was 15.8%, or approximately 47 million uninsured people.
(Source: US Census Bureau)

The United States ranks 43rd in lowest infant mortality rate, down from 12th in 1960 and 21st in 1990. Singapore has the lowest rate with 2.3 deaths per 1000 live births, while the United States has a rate of 6.3 deaths per 1000 live births. Some of the other 42 nations that have a lower infant mortality rate than the US include Hong Kong, Slovenia, and Cuba.
(Source: CIA Factbook (2008))

 

[Levite]

"A new study says life expectancy in the United States has plunged over the last decade. According to Health Affairs, the US now ranks forty-ninth in the world in life expectancy, down from twenty-fourth place in 1999. The study authors cited what they called the United States’ "uniquely inefficient" healthcare system as the primary cause."

Source

I'm interested in how or on what grounds people are going to rationalize away or dismiss this report? If this report is to be believed, then how do you think they will do that?

Also, if you are a US citizen, and you consider this report to be accurate, then what do you make of the fact you are likely to die sooner than you need to merely because your country lacks the political will to fix its health care system?

Last, how should one rationalize that away so that one can go one's happy way again? What's the most persuasive BS for dismissing the facts here, assuming they are indeed facts?

Shocking. :no:

Healthcare sucked balls before Obama came along. It still sucks balls after Obama's "reforms," the balls are just different, and maybe a little smaller.

Let's face it: in this country, healthcare is a huge business. As long as it is a huge business, it will purchase itself power in government. Until the day comes when we convince our weak-a****, greedy politicians that we care more about the right of the average American to have decent and complete health care without breaking his bank account to get it, or having to make hideous O. Henry-esque choices about which we want more, healthcare or food or rent, than we care about the profits and the power of healthcare conglomerates and drug companies, we will all be in this same damn boat.

Right now, the United States government is suffering from an acute case of head-up-the-a**-itis, and it will not be cured until we force them to cure it. Which, gauging by the total befuddlement, ignorance, and apathy of the American people, will not be anytime soon.

 

[Reverend Rick]

My 401K statement sucks.
My investments are still down.
Business is slow.

I have less money for retirement now.
If I live less years, I will be better off.

Who wants to live so long that they will go to a nursing home and sit in a messy diaper anyway?

 

[dust1n]

Also, if you are a US citizen, and you consider this report to be accurate, then what do you make of the fact you are likely to die sooner than you need to merely because your country lacks the political will to fix its... system?

I found my place right in American history.

Last, how should one rationalize that away so that one can go one's happy way again? What's the most persuasive BS for dismissing the facts here, assuming they are indeed facts?

Consume?

 

[linwood]

Last, how should one rationalize that away so that one can go one's happy way again? What's the most persuasive BS for dismissing the facts here, assuming they are indeed facts?

I got nothin`.
:sorry1:

 

[linwood]

Here is a link to the actual study abstract and methods.

What Changes In Survival Rates Tell Us About US Health Care -- Muennig and Glied, 10.1377/hlthaff.2010.0073 -- Health Affairs

It essentially states we are paying far more to receive far less than other nations.
I could have told them that.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

The four greatest American industries are
Medicine
Arms
Oil
and banking

The Steel and Motor industry has gone
the IT industry is following

The remaining top four are firmly enmeshed in Government.

 

[dust1n]

The four greatest American industries are
Medicine
Arms
Oil
and banking

The Steel and Motor industry has gone
the IT industry is following

The remaining top four are firmly enmeshed in Government.

Don't forget Food!

And soon to be Water!

 

[Amill]

I don't believe this. I mean just last week John Boner said that we had the best health care system in the world.
John Boehner Talks Taxes, Health Care and GOP Agenda | FoxNews.com

 

[Revoltingest]

I don't believe this. I mean just last week John Boner said that we had the best health care system in the world.
John Boehner Talks Taxes, Health Care and GOP Agenda | FoxNews.com

\
The word "best" has different meaning for different folks. For me personally, it's the
best. For poor families with health problems it would suck compared to some others.

Yet another wrinkle in evaluating how to design a health care system:
http://www.livescience.com/health/americans-sicker-live-longer-than-english-101104.html

 

[linwood]

\
The word "best" has different meaning for different folks. For me personally, it's the
best. For poor families with health problems it would suck compared to some others.

How do you define "Best"?

I`m by no means poor and have few health problems in my family and I still think it sucks for numerous reasons.

Whats up with that?

 

[Revoltingest]

How do you define "Best"?

That's a tough one, eh? I like to avoid the word "best" for that very reason.
I have enuf trouble just trying to figure out how we should make ours "better".
You'll note that I have few recommendations for improvements....I'm still very much in the thinking-about-it phase.
(Mrs Rev would have more to say, since she's in the health care analysis biz. But I can't get such expertise by osmosis.)

 

[Smoke]

I don't believe this. I mean just last week John Boner said that we had the best health care system in the world.
John Boehner Talks Taxes, Health Care and GOP Agenda | FoxNews.com

That's Speaker Boner. I know because I was watching FakeNews on election night, and that's what they were calling him.