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Single-payer health care is historically successful

To the editor:

This letter is in response to a letter that appeared in the Sentinel on Oct. 19 by Lisa Nancollas. In it, Lisa references “the historical failures of single-payer health care in other countries.” This statement lacks facts and is simply not accurate.

In the United States, we spend more on health care per person than any country in the world. According to the Peterson-Kaiser Health System Tracker, the U.S. spent $10,348 on health care for every man, woman, and child in the United States in 2016. This was almost $3,000 more per person than Switzerland, the next highest spending country, and more than double the amount spent per person in most developed countries. That would be fine if our results were better than any other country. Unfortunately, they are not. The World Population Review ranks the United States 45th in life expectancy behind virtually all developed countries and many undeveloped countries. In infant mortality the U.S. is ranked 29th, tied with Slovakia according to WebMD. The facts indicate that people live longer, have less infant mortality and pay much less for health care in single-payer health systems.

I have been fortunate to travel to many of the world’s developed countries that have single-payer systems. The vast majority of people in those countries like their health care. Inevitably, the people I talk to cannot believe that the United States lacks health care for all. They cannot believe that some of our citizens cannot afford to buy the medications that they need, that some cannot afford to see a doctor and that some end up in bankruptcy paying for heath care for themselves or a loved one.

Whose health care system is a historical failure? I’ll let you decide.

Harry M. Geedey

Lewistown

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