Why Uncle Sam is Dr No of healthcare

US health costs are at least twice as high as in countries like France, Britain and Germany with better systems. (Many Americans have an unshakeable belief that these systems are inferior, but no data on longevity or success in handling major diseases supports that prejudice.).

The massive cost disadvantage is a major drag on economic competitiveness.

At the firm level, because large, unionised employers pay for healthcare, it explains part of the Detroit car manufacturers' difficulty in competing with Japanese and South Korean companies. At the macro level, some of America's job losses to low-cost countries would not have occurred if her health costs were in line.

American business has been betrayed by scamming trade associations much more interested in class warfare than promoting the interests of their members.