Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Readers respond: Wealthy Americans get best care

Date

While few people would dispute the assertion that the U.S. is a world leader in medical innovation, David Goldhill’s op-ed piece reprinted in The Oregonian from The Washington Post gives the impression that American health care is world class (“In health care, America is the world’s indispensable nation,” Nov. 30). But by objective metrics, that’s not the case. The U.S. is way down the list of nations by life expectancy, behind such countries as Cuba, Estonia, Slovenia, and Qatar. Our infant mortality rate is similarly troubling. Around fifty other countries have lower rates of infant mortality than we do, including Russia, Uruguay, Bulgaria, and, again, Cuba.

The sad truth is that your chances for getting world-class health care in the U.S. improve the more money you have. Medical innovation is of dubious value where it only benefits a certain segment of the population.

Jefferson Ranck, Portland

To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.

Facebook
Twitter
Reddit
LinkedIn
Email

More
articles

Join DBN Today!

Let DBN help guide you to success!

Doctors Business Network offers everything new and existing health care providers need to establish and build a successful career! Sign up with DBN today and let us help you succeed!

DBN Health News