Michael Tanner: Despite Flaws, We’re No. 1
When Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi needed heart surgery, he didn’t go to an Italian hospital. He didn’t go to Austria or the Netherlands. He had his surgery at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. Similarly, when Canadian Human Resources Minister Belinda Stronach needed treatment for breast cancer, she had it done at a California hospital. And, when then-Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams needed to have a leaky heart valve repaired, he had it done at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in Florida.
These high-profile patients were following in the footsteps of tens of thousands of patients from around the world who come to the United States for treatment every year.
They come here because they know that despite its flaws, the U.S. health care system still provides the highest quality care in the world.
More from Michael Tanner in USA Today.
Hey Dr. Goodman,
I wanted to send you a tip and I would love to get your insight on the new third quater GDP numbers and rising healthcare expenses.
http://blog.simplee.com/2011/10/eating-our-wallet-healthcare-spending-drives-gdp-growth.html
Certainly a valid point, but is that the proper criterion for determining that the US health care system is the best in the world? To me, this article suggests that it may be the best system for people who are rich, well-connected, and well insured, but not necessarily the best for the average citizen (as demonstrated by mortality rates). As you know very well, quality of care diverges significantly in the US depending on a host of factors. Given that the US medical system is also far and away the most expensive system, I think we can and should do better.
The quality of care varies widely within the United States. More Americans should follow Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s example and head to a Center of Excellence. If enough people did that, hospitals would begin to compete on quality rather than competing amenities and on the perception of quality (i.e. billboards along the freeway touting quality). I believe the United States has some of the best hospitals anywhere in the world. We have some that should be closed but (too often) remain open because of political protection by community leaders.
True Devon, though most Americans are not billionaires like Berlusconi who can afford to fly to the best hospital for their medical care. Most people receive their care locally, so we need to focus on ways to bring the quality up in the weaker regions rather than assuming that people will automatically go to the best hospitals.
Since the U.S. is going in reverse with its healthcare system through Obamacare, I would not be surprised if the Canadians or other countries have better systems in 15-20 years after they institute free-market reforms in response to the drain that social medicine has been for them.