This letter to the editor was originally filed under the local news section. We regret the error.
Every fact and statistic requires a comprehensive evaluation and consideration, including its possible effects to the total area within which it applies, before it can be effectively understood.
Of current major civic subjects, national health care is near the top of the list. Here are some facts warranting understanding:
As recently published by Investor Business Daily, a survey by the U.N. International Health Organization has reported:
Percentage of men and women who survived a cancer five years after diagnosis: U.S. 65 percent, Eng-land 46 percent, Canada 42 percent.
Percentage of patients diagnosed with diabetes who received treatment within six months: U.S. 93 percent, England 15 percent, Canada 43 percent.
Percentage of seniors needing hip replacement who received it within six months: U.S. 90 percent, England 15 percent, Canada 43 percent.
Percentage referred to a medical specialist who see one within one month: U.S. 77 percent, England 40 percent, Canada 43 percent.
Number of MRI scanners (a prime diagnostic tool) per million people: U.S. 71, England 14, Canada 18.
Percentage of seniors (65 and older) with low income who say they are in “excellent health”: U.S. 12 percent, England 2 percent, Canada 6 percent.
The initial conclusion from this report is that the U.S. has the best health care in the world. But cost and availability remain problems.
Released from many of the existing government restrictions and controls, these can most rapidly be improved by private enterprise, where there are the profit incentive and the threat of failure.
Health care will only be damaged, as a Wall Street Journal opinion piece said, “through central planning and price controls that would limit access to care” (“No Bed-Wetting,” Jan. 26).
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