Culture of Life, Indeed

According to the United Health Foundation, “[f]or the first time in 40 years, the infant mortality rate in the U.S. has increased, with seven out of every 1,000 children born in America dying within their first year of life…”

Further, “[d]uring the 1990s, health in the United States advanced by an annual rate of 1.5 percent each year, according to the report. However, during the 2000s, health improvement in the country slowed to an annual rate of only 0.2 percent each year–1/8th the rate of the 1990s.”

Not to worry, though: HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt touts something called “health information technology” which will enable “consumers…to make better choices among prevention and treatment options” and put them “in control of their health choices to lead healthy lives and customize care delivery to meet their needs.”

That sounds great, doesn’t it? Except, I guess, to those 45 million uninsured Americans who will never get a chance to “consume” some of that yummy, longed-for, oh-so-expensive (that’s how you know it’s good*) US health care. Oh well, fuck ‘em if they don’t want to be part of the ownership society.



* "the eighth leading cause of death in this country"