i've been an advocate of health-care reform since god knows when. if ever there was a broken system in this country, it is the health-care system. people often compare the american system to that of her neighbor's in canada. but here are some cold hard facts, reported today in the des moines register. mind you, des moines is probably the best city in the nation that knows insurance.

DesMoinesRegister.com | Opinion

Here are some comparisons between the United States and Canada.
* In 1996, Canada spent $2,002 per capita on health care.
* In 1996, the U.S. spent $3,708 per capita on health care.
* The Canadian government provides health care for every citizen.
* The U.S. government provides health care for about one-fourth of its citizens. Another one-sixth, or 41 million Americans, have no health insurance. The rest purchase coverage on their own or through employers.
* In 1995, the life expectancy for a Canadian male was 75.3 years. For every 1,000 live births in Canada, six infants die.
* In 1995, the average American male could enjoy life for 72.5 years. For every 1,000 live births in the United States, eight babies die.
Canada spends less, insures all its people and enjoys better life expectancies and infant mortality rates than Americans.