Cancer warning

Received last January from my insurance broker...almost forgot to share!

Those of you who are familiar with medical coverage in other countries are probably aware of some of these statistics. Frequently it is said that the United States, despite our costly healthcare system, is not up to par with the outcomes of treatment when compared to other countries that have national healthcare.

A recent "Investor's Business Daily" article provided very interesting statistics from a survey by the United Nations International regarding the percentage of men and women who survived a cancer five years after diagnosis:

U.S. 65%
England 46%

Canada 42%

Percentage of patients diagnosed with diabetes who received treatment within six months:

U.S. 93%

England 15%

Canada 43%

Percentage of seniors needing hip replacement who received it within six months:

U.S. 90%

England 15%

Canada 43%

Percentage referred to a medical specialist who see them one within one month:

U.S. 77%

England 40%

Canada 43%

Number of MRI scanners (a prime diagnostic tool) per million people:

U.S. 71

England 14

Canada 18

Percentage of seniors (65+), with low income, who say they are in "excellent health":

U.S. 12%

England 2%

Canada 6%

And now for the last statistic:

National Health Insurance?

U.S. NO (Well, that depends on whether or not you vote for Mitt Romney...and for Republicans running for the U.S. Senate!)

England YES

Canada YES