Would you rather fight cancer in America or Europe?

Former chief economist at US Labor Department, Diana Furchtgott-Roth is opposed to the idea of a public health plan.  She says, “As we consider moving toward a public plan, we should remember that European health care may be less costly, but it is also less effective at keeping cancer patients alive.”

Furchtgott-Roth compares cancer survival rates: 

US = 66% for men and 63% for women

Europe = 47% for men and 56% for women

Why is this? Americans have higher cancer survival rates because the United States has more advanced equipment for early diagnosis and more routine screenings. We have the newest technology and we spend more than other countries on diagnostic tests.

Once diagnosed, we use more advanced medications for treatment than they do Europe. Many new drugs are available earlier in the United States than in Europe, because European governments negotiate prices from pharmaceutical companies before a drug may be given to patients.

Full article here.