Letter to the Editor
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EDITOR: In his letter to the editor Jerry McMenamin makes the statement, quote: "the U.S. has the best hospital and doctors in the world," end quote.
This statement requires clarification.
Although we definitely have the most expensive health care system in the world it is far from the best. Among industrialized nations our health care system rates 13th for quality of care.
Americans also rate 13th in their level of health.
The first year survivability of newborns is no where near the top ten.
We may have the most expensive equipment, but not care.
In the U.S. nearly 500,000 individuals die each year as a direct result of seeking medical treatment or care. These are due to misdiagnoses, surgical errors, complications due to infections and medication errors which can be wrong medication, wrong dosage (amount), wrong route of administration (given by mouth instead of by intravenous) and adverse reactions as well as others.
This number varies widely depending on which study or report one wishes to believe.
Of those 500,000 deaths over 105,000 are due to infections contracted by patients after being admitted to U.S. hospitals. These are known as nosocomial infections. The number one cause of these infections was listed as poor hand washing technique in between patient care. In other words, pure unadulterated laziness!
In fact, the best place in this country to contract an infection is in a hospital or doctor's office. Everything from the books and magazines in the waiting rooms to the blood pressure cuffs and stethoscopes have shown infectious pathogens in laboratory tests.
Infectious organisms such as MRSA, methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus, a particularly nasty form of everyday staph which was once confined to long-term facilities such as nursing homes, are now reaching pandemic levels in U.S. hospitals and are commonly found today in school locker rooms and on wrestling mats.
Each single infection adds nearly $10,000 to the average hospital bill requiring longer stays, expensive courses of last-line antibiotics and far too often death.
Hospitals in the U.S. do not require employees including doctors, nurses, aides to report to a separate entrance, shower and wear sanitized clothing as well as not being permitted to leave the facility until the end of their shift. Clothes may be worn from home.
Anyone can walk directly in to a U.S. hospital without having their temperature checked to determine if they are ill.
As a nurse for over 25 years this happens a lot more than you think.
Robert J. Boinski
Millerton, Pa
11 posted comments
The goal was to form a single health organization to address the needs of the worlds' people. The mission was, and remains, to "preserve, maintain, and improve health through education, nutritional support, health activities, management of disease outbreaks, response to emergencies, and funding programs." It is an international agency, headquatered in Geneva, Switzerland, consisting of 101 member nations. Its constitution describes health as "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."
They are not held by political or geographical ideology.
Michael Moore, as I acknowledged, does use cinematic liberties and is a bit over the top, however, he has not been proven incorrect in his allegations. I imagine his role is to shout, "The King has no clothes." He exposes corruption in all spheres of the public and corporate arena. He does not promote any political party. Some will take his documentaries and try to improve, some will just call him crazy. That is the right of free people.
If you are calling me a socialist, because I believe that too much power is vested in a few wealthy individuals and corporations, to the detriment of society as a whole. I admit that is true. If you are referring to me as a socialist, because I believe the government has an obligation to effect change and steer our country in a manner that provides for the safety, security, and well-being of all its citizens, regardless of their income, again, I plead guilty. However, is suspect you are calling me a socialist, because its a handy, and derogatory term, and you hope to rile me, sorry, it won't work.
My beliefs are not set in stone. As most adults, they have evolved over a lifetime. I think that is a sign of education and maturity.
You know I was a registered republican for a long time, and then the party took some turns, that I could not go along with. So, I changed parties, because the Democratic Party more closely aligned with my core values. In truth, if it were a vialble party, I would be an independant. I own, and support, small business owners. While the unions were a benefit to many, in their day, now they are often detrimental to workers. I support the womens' rights, and I support the death penalty.
When pushed to define my political stance, it is "moderately, conservative, liberal."
I do use research, and I do not just fall for whatever someone shouts out in a crowd. I read, read, read, and read some more. I watch at least 4 news shows, (not talking heads) regularly.
Logic, reason, and objectivity. If you knew me, or spoke with those who know me, trying to peg me as a hard-headed, radical, socialist, would be funny.
I am not required to provide you with my credentials. Let it suffice to say, few would call me ignorant of national or world events.
As I learned in elementary school, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but your words will not hurt me."
I believe the statistics are accurate, and the facts are clear.
Providing Health Care for all USA citizens is right. I applaud those nations, providing healtcare it to all citizens..The UK, Belgium, Sweden, Germany, France, Italy, Canada, etc. Despite your advise, I can not receive health care in those countries, because I would be an alien. Just as we are not planning to provide coverage to illegal aliens, they are not willing to cover United States citizens. They generally do provide emergency care to anyone, just as the USA currently does. So, if I am on vacation in Venezuela, I can do as you suggest.
I have respect for Michael Moore's attempts to shine light on the inhumanity we visit on our fellow citizen. Be it health care, corporate greed, or violence. I guess he may, sometimes, be over the top, but interestingly, none of his facts have been disproven.
Again, I love my country, I just want it to be better, kinder, more ethical.
The World Health Organization is respected and honored worldwide.
I am sure Mr. Moore has no problem being equated with them, and neither do I.
The USA is ranked 39th in care, and outcomes overall. We are 29th in infant mortality. Health Care is not available to approximately 47 million citizens of our land.
If you are happy with your health insurance, you get to keep it, for as long as the carrier allows you to. I am not coming to take away your care. I just want to insure that you, and all of us, have care when we need it. So, I support this health care bill.
I read where someone equated the health industry to a retail market. Goods and Services for a price. They are not the same.
A person may not need a T.V. or a microwave oven, or even a car, but human beings do need proper care for illness and injury. Affordable health care is a civil right, denied millions in our nation today. As an American, I don't have to seek it elsewhere,
I can join the 65% of my fellow citizens, who demand that we have it right here at home.
The insurance industry and the pharmaceutical corporations put profit ahead of people. This has to stop.
Please encourage your Senator to push for the bill, and to vote yes. The time is now. Thank you to the 220 representatives who voted yes on Saturday.
The time has come, and we are closer than ever in our history, to providing safe, affordable health care to all citizens.
The time is now.
In point of fact, we are rated #37 in the world. We can do much better. Additionally, we are ranked 29th in the world for infant mortality. That is shameful.
Why don't I go elsewhere for treatment? I am an American citizen, and I should not have to go elsewhere. I should be able to receive the best care right here in my own nation. Sorry, love it or leave it won't work on me. I do love my country, that is why I want it to be better. And as non-hypocondraic points out, what makes you think those nations would welcome me as an illegal alien anymore than our nation welcomes illegals. (Altho, when I was in Italy they did assure me that they care for everyone who comes to their emergency care centers. Just as we do.)
Staff should were uniforms provided, and cleaned by the facility, and change each time they leave the facility. Visitation by children under 12 should be strictly limited. Visitors who are ill should not be there, at all.
We do have some of the best trained, highly skilled, physicians and surely the latest and greatest equipment, but we do not have the best medical care.
We have the potential, but not the will, to provide the best care in the world. Their is a world of difference between what we deliver, and what we can deliver.
Thanks, Robert, for your voice or reason.