Comments on: Life expectancy vs. health care cost, by nation

By: zeke

zeke — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 01:23:12 +0000

Did it ever occur to anyone that the French drink wine? I would suspect that is a major reason they have less need for healthcare. Plus, we were told one time that the French eat slower than Americans, which allows them to enjoy their food more, thus allowing them to get satisfied by eating less, thus they are not as fat as us Americans, so they need less healthcare, and they live longer.
I don’t think it has anything to do with theirs or our healthcare systems.

Monte Says: Hi Zeke – those things certainly contribute, I am sure. But I doubt that anything outweighs the fact that 47,000 Americans have no health insurance, and probably receive no preventive ongoing care. All are cared for in most developed countries. So here it is much more common for minor illnesses – among those without ways to afford treatment – to become life-threatening. High blood pressure, for instance, much more commonly leads to stroke in the absence of routine care. Why, one wonders, should we pay twice as much for what we get? Thanks for your comment!

By: DGs World By Big D

DGs World By Big D — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 17:03:54 +0000

Agreed wholly on that one! We need each other, and those that seek to wedge a giant divide between two philosophical ways of thinking aren’t doing the US any favors in the long run.
I’ll let you know when I post about my Japan trip. One of these days I’ll write about it. It was one of the best trips we’ve ever taken – and really funny! I plan to focus on the enigma that is the Japanese potty. Talk about East / West differences. Crrrrrrazy.

By: Monte

Monte — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 04:31:33 +0000

Hey Big D: You’re right, of course, that their diet plays a big role. I wonder if the trap to avoid is “either-or” thinking (the tradition hole dialogues about social needs usually fall into). Conservatives, wisely, stress the personal responsibility of living well. Liberalism has traditionally stressed the responsibility of all of us to struggle to make sure every individual the tools to do so.
The beauty of it is that both elements are absolutely essential to solving the health and hunger problems that confront the world. Liberalism’s plans don’t work unless people learn personal responsibility. Conservatism’s plans don’t work when the basics needed to achieve aren’t within reach. Polarization is what keeps us stuck: the idea that it’s all one or the other.

Good news is we may be approaching the day when liberals and conservatives awaken to how much they need each other, and how right the other is! At the moment, anyway, I think this is part of the message of both front-running presidential candidates. Thanks for your thoughts!

By: giannakali

giannakali — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 19:26:18 +0000

Hey there Monte!
We’re keeping an eye on you today out there in Iowa! America is watching you!!

Monte Says: Thanks, the caucus was great fun. I hope to blog about it in the next few days.

By: DGs World By Big D

DGs World By Big D — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 16:56:37 +0000

Hey, it posted a link automatically. Hooray!! :)

Monte Says: Thanks for it – I’m looking forward to checking it out.

By: DGs World By Big D

DGs World By Big D — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 16:56:11 +0000

Monte, ever been to Japan? I have (it was wonderful), and I know their diet consists of about 99.8% fish. Seriously. THEY EAT IT FOR BREAKFAST. (When we hit the Narita Airport to head home, the first place we ran to was McDonalds – I know, for shame – but that Big Mac tasted like heaven.) I’m betting their life expectancy has more to do with diet and less to do with healthcare. Just a guess. On a different note, check out the attached link (on the whole Old Testament vs. New Testament question). I thought this was interesting. Would love your take on it! Thanks! (Sorry, you’ll have to copy and paste – I’m a computer idiot.)
http://www.comereason.org/print.asp?strpagenumber=con090

By: mp

mp — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 05:11:37 +0000

ouch