Great Moments in Right-Wing Ignorance - by David

My political policy is, "it's the policies not the person". Making fun of right-wing wackos is... fun... and easy... but mostly counterproductive. So, make no mistake, I am not making fun of Mitt Romney, only the untenable position of the right-wing on health care.


Romney in Israel on July 30, 2012: “When our health care costs are completely out of control. Do you realize what health care spending is as a percentage of the GDP in Israel? 8 percent. You spend 8 percent of GDP on health care. And you’re a pretty healthy nation. We spend 18 percent of our GDP on health care. 10 percentage points more. That gap, that 10 percent cost, let me compare that with the size of our military. Our military budget is 4 percent. Our gap with Israel is 10 points of GDP. We have to find ways, not just to provide health care to more people, but to find ways to finally manage our health care costs.”


Is Romney calling for the end of ObamaCare (yes, well established) to be replaced with the Israeli health care system? Oops. Health care in Israel truly is a "government take-over" system. (ObamaCare is nowhere close to that). Health care in Israel is universal and its funding is compulsory, paid for via a progressive tax system. As Romney correctly noted, Israel spends about 8% of its GDP, while we spend almost 18% of our GDP. Israel has better health outcomes, e.g., life expectancy and infant mortality. 


The table below is from Stephen L. Taylor at:

http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/romney-praises-israeli-health-care-system/

You can find more information at:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_care_in_Israel

Remember:  Facts are more fun than character assassination, and just as easy.