Cancer

My Father had prostate cancer. He was diagnosed as a result of a routine check, so they caught it early. My Dad has always been good about preventive maintenance like that, even before it was the "in" thing to do. As a result of that, and the high level of care available in the US, he's been over twenty years cancer free now.

My older Sister has cancer now. She was recently diagnosed, and since they caught it early and she has access to the most modern medical science and highest quality medical care - her prognosis is very good.

That's not the case everywhere:

Cancer survival rates (all cancers) for Women:

USA 62.9%
Iceland 61.8%
Italy 59.7%
Germany 58.8%
England 52.7%

If you're a man, the differences are even greater.

Cancer survival rates (all cancers) for Men:

USA 66.3%
Sweden 60.3%
Italy 49.8%
Germany 50%
England 44.8%


Canada's data was not included in the article sited, but I found this here, using data from 2001 through 2003:

"Canada's system of national health insurance is often cited as a model for the United States. But an analysis of 2001 to 2003 data by June O'Neill, former director of the Congressional Budget Office, and economist David O'Neill, found that overall cancer survival rates are higher in the United States than in Canada:

For women, the average survival rate for all cancers is 61 percent in the United States, compared to 58 percent in Canada.

For men, the average survival rate for all cancers is 57 percent in the United States, compared to 53 percent in Canada. "

Think about this the next time you hear the power's that be run down the US healthcare system, in favor of the way they do it elsewhere.