U.S. health-care system 'insane,' Clinton warns

Toronto Star: May 16, 2006. pg. A.04

Former U.S. president Bill Clinton warned Canada last night not to go down an American-style, privatized health-care road.

"Be careful," he said. "I know there are problems here, but it's a good thing, your health-care system. You better think about it for a long time."

Speaking at a fundraising dinner at the Windsor Arms Hotel, Clinton described the U.S. system as "a nightmare. It's insane, a colossal waste of money."

In the U.S., 34 per cent of the health-care budget goes to administrative costs, he said, compared with Canada's 19 per cent. "In the U.S., administrative costs mean the financial tail is wagging the health-care dog."

Clinton said Canada should examine similar health-care systems - in Germany, Denmark or Sweden, for instance - that have solved problems such as overly long waiting times.

Lynda Hurst

Your Health and Mine