Us vs. Them

The U.S. health system is the most expensive in the world, but comparative analyses consistently show the United States underperforms relative to other countries on most dimensions of performance.

Among the seven nations studied Australia, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States the U.S. ranks last overall, as it did in the 2007, 2006, and 2004 editions of Mirror, Mirror. 

But even when access and equity measures are not considered, the U.S. ranks behind most of the other countries on most measures. With the inclusion of primary care physician survey data in the analysis, it is apparent that the U.S. is lagging in adoption of national policies that promote primary care, quality improvement, and information technology. 

The other six countries spend considerably less on health care per person and as a percent of gross domestic product than does the United States. These findings indicate that, from the perspectives of both physicians and patients, the U.S. health care system could do much better in achieving value for the nation's substantial investment in health.

Quality,  Access,  Efficiency,  Equity, Long, healthy, and productive lives: The U.S. ranks last overall with poor scores on all three indicators of long, healthy, and productive lives.  Just a thought.

Position...*!

Not related to the story.

A substitute teacher was arrested last week after police say she had sexual encounters with students she invited to her Georgia home. Sheriff's Officials said the students were at the age of consent, it was 38-year-old Laura's position of authority that makes her alleged deeds a crime.

"Our detectives conducted an investigation and determined that Rich had sex with a 16-year-old student in early 2015 and then had sex with an 18-year-old student in late 2015. The encounters occurred at her former home" authority said in a statement. 

Our School District has zero tolerance for inappropriate relationships between students and any adults serving in any capacity in our schools," a spokesperson told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The sub teacher was charged with two counts of sexual assault by a teacher. She was released on a $22,400 bond that same day.

We all are uptight about what happened here but the kids are in the age of consent.  However, other countries may have a better solution.   Just let us explore the solution rather than the punishment.   Just a thought.  

Mathew...

Hurricane Matthew hits early friday morning near The Exploration Tower, one of many tourist attractions in Port Canaveral in Brevard County Fla. packing 120 mph winds.  Craig Rubadoux, FLORIDA TODAY for the USA TODAY NETWORK

We Care....

USA today

Dance Club...

Maj. Gen. Ronald Lewis, a former senior military aide to Defense Secretary Ash Carter, used his government credit card at strip clubs or gentlemen's clubs in Rome and Seoul, drank in excess and had "improper interactions" with women during business travel with Carter, according to a report released by the Defense Department inspector general.

Lewis took responsibility for several inappropriate actions, including charging nearly $1,800 on his government credit card at what he called a "dance club" in Rome. In an embarrassing set of circumstances, Lewis said, he tried to use his personal debit card at the club, but it didn't work, so he had to walk back to his hotel with a female employee of the club, and wake up a Defense Department staff member to get his government card to pay the bill. He said he paid back the charges when he returned to the U.S.

Ultimately the investigation only substantiated the allegations of credit card misuse, including lying to a credit card company and bank and falsifying information, according to several defense officials. Lewis faces reduction in rank and a hefty fine.  

Just a thought.

Get Out...

Daytona Beach.

Lesson...?

Officers were called around 2 p.m. PT Tuesday to the Broadway Village Shopping Center in El Cajon, Calif., about 15 miles northeast of San Diego, after hearing reports of an uncooperative person walking into traffic, El Cajon police said in a statement. They said the man did not have a weapon.

El Cajon Police Chief Jeff Davis said at a news conference: "At one point the male rapidly drew an object from his front pants pocket, placed both hands together on it and extended it rapidly towards the officer taking what appeared to be a shooting stance, putting the object in the officer's face.

"At this time one of the officers discharged his Taser in an effort to subdue the subject. Simultaneously the officer who had the object pointed at him discharged his firearm, striking the male."

He did not say what the object was but acknowledged it was not a weapon. Davis said investigators were reviewing the video and other video recovered from the scene, which so far coincided with the officers' statements.

A lesson....   Just a thought.

Hopes..

USA Today

Aleppo.....

And we are participant and witness to that.

Back...?

USA Today