[marshallp]

The data says the average brit lives longer and healthier than americans, and the fact that anyone, including temporary visitors can get free healthcare in britain is 'awesome' from the viewpoint of 'humanity' compared to the travesty that is american healthcare.

[yummyfajitas]

The average brit lives 1.2 years longer than the average usian.

Walking 30 min/day adds 1.3 years to your life (source: http://walking.about.com/od/healthbenefits/a/livelonger1105....). Moderate obesity takes 3 years from your life (source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090319224823.ht...).

But obviously, none of these factors affect average national life expectancy. Only health care does.

[Semiapies]

That one sentence has quite a bit wrong and not even wrong about it, and that's before I even get to your implicit demand that I defend the US health care system against your boosterism of the British NHS.

This is why I don't argue for or against health care reform.

[marshallp]

There's "material" to support every side of the argument. The only honest data you have are simple measures like life expectancy and costs as percentage of gdp. Universal healthcare clearly trumps any other system in those.

Of course the systems aren't perfect, but they're the best of the alternatives.

[Semiapies]

I don't actually have to be here for this argument with you, right? :)

Oh, Hell, I'll throw you a bone: what happens to comparative life expectancy numbers when you correct for differing definitions of live birth in the US and the UK?

Now, carry on.