The Staggers

The New Statesman’s rolling politics blog

A lesson on health spending for Rick Santorum

The US state spends more on healthcare than the UK.

By George Eaton Published 04 January 2012 16:34

Mehdi has already listed ten things you should know about Republican insurgent Rick Santorum but here's another: he believes that the NHS "devastated" the UK and was partly responsible for the collapse of the British empire.

It's certainly an original explanation, not least because India, the jewel in the imperial crown, won independence in 1947 and the NHS was created in 1948. But is Santorum aware that the US state actually spends more on public healthcare (7.4 per cent of GDP) than the UK (7.2 per cent)?

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Tags: Rick Santorum Republican Primaries

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13 comments

Wed, 2012-01-04 19:20 — Hugh Markey (not verified)

Ignorance is bliss as far as Republican contenders for the presidency are concerned.
Show any knowledge of the real world and your chances go out the window.
What was that political quote Goldwater came out with. "Let's lob one into the mens' room at the Kremlin!'
LBJ just could not believe his luck.
That political television ad of the little girl counting the petals on a daisy as the sonorous missile countdown droned on menacingly in the background - and then the mushroom cloud - pure genius.
The American public didn't need to see the monster SS8 and SS9 trundling across Red Square or the 100 megaton( 60 meg as bomb clad in lead ) test on Novaya Zemlya. Nor did they need to hear Bertram Russell's view on the technical expertise involved.
They blinked and voted in LBJ. NIxon talked tough but backed off from the SS Pueblo and RB 47 incidents.
Then Hainan Island and the downing of 20 or so USAF intruders by the Chinese Red Airforce. Then cap in hand to Mao! Boy, did Henry take a beating!
Same with Ronnie. Two Korean airliners downed by the Soviets and not a muscle twitch from the WWII refusnik.
No matter what opponent the Republicans choose it will be no contest.
Having to carry MItt or whosoever a couple of rounds - just not the political fight game of old.
Obama - Winner and Still Champion of these United States of America. You can bet on it. Certain sure.
Do you recall the famous cardiac surgeon - Michael Debakey. Miraculous operations, even on old LBD before he became president, saved patient after paying patient. What did the middle-class do? Started jogging that's what - against medical advice.

Dr Kildare

Wed, 2012-01-04 20:21 — JamesB1

And I worry about the standard British politicians.

American politics is in a whole different league of mad! And these men, invariably men, are some of the most powerful people in the world. We may as well give up now.

Wed, 2012-01-04 22:25 — John Cheese (not verified)

Canada will need to shape up their nationalized care before most of US would consider NHS. Too scary on the treatment delays & US is $$ spent out right now. Private vs public, legit debate on how to do it.

Thu, 2012-01-05 17:23 — Didymus (not verified)

And the amazing thing is that UK politicians continue to slaver at the idea of implementing US policies in the UK - instead of looking to Norther Europe for models that work, they look to that failed society to the West, implement its crazy ideas here and then wonder why everything goes wrong. As for the Republican candidates, there's certainly little to choose among them - a bunch of Brain Dead White Americans (must be possible to get an acronym out of that - BraDWAms perhaps!)

Thu, 2012-01-05 03:18 — Benjamin Rae (not verified)

The NHS is not perfect. No organisation is. But the poison and lies spread by right wing politicians that side of the Atlantic and this is disgusting. A mixture of liars, crooks and nutters the lot of them.

Sun, 2012-01-08 22:04 — Buckskins (not verified)

Your NHS is a basket case. People can wait for a year to get an operation. For every medical employee there are 3 to 4 civil servants doing who knows what.Your NHS is the largest employer in Europe. Why do you think your elite come over here for their medical care? And what's with you people and dental hygiene??? Some of you even call it free. If by chance you are employed and not one of those living from the British workers, take a look at your salary deductions and tell me how free it is.

Wed, 2012-01-04 16:39 — Jonn Elledge (not verified)

Nice one. What's the date on those figures? Thought the UK got closer to the OECD average during the Labour years?

Wed, 2012-01-04 16:50 — Jeevan (not verified)

Indeed. And that's not even mentioning the _quality_ of healthcare, either.

Santorum really is as ignorant as the rest of the Republican candidates.

Wed, 2012-01-04 16:53 — damianneum

Hi Jonn, figures are from 2008, UK was certainly close to OECD average although it was the EU average that Blair emphasised.

http://www.bmj.com/content/320/7229/205.1.full.pdf

Wed, 2012-01-04 17:01 — Jonn Elledge (not verified)

when you look at those figures, and see the UK is spending a relatively small share of GDP on health, it's hard to avoid the conclusion that the NHS is actually rather good value for money, isn't it.

Wed, 2012-01-04 17:41 — Fergus Pickering (not verified)

The NHS is good value for money, of course it is. It isn't if you are rich of course because you pay for private stuff on top, but who cares about bupa people eh?