The figures I have read are that between 33-50 million Americans don't have health insurance - between half to 3/4 of our population. It is estimated 45,000 die as a result each year. They spend twice as much per capita on health than the world average but are ranked 34th in the healthiest countries in the world. Highly processed food & a lack of exercise are killers.

Completely agree - the point I was referring to is your assumption that because health care is very expensive people will take a different view to their lifestyle - its obvious they don't.

I think I was saying the opposite but as they haven't found a cure for memory loss I'm not sure.

A big problem is the NHS unilaterally sending out appointment letters with no thought for whether the patient can make it. Although they have got better in many cases and liaise there are still many ludicrous examples. For example, a few months ago a letter arrived one morning saying my daughter had a hospital appointment at 2.00pm that day when they are aware she resides nearly 200 miles away and has to be collected! I and others I know have recently received short notice appointments via letter and the next day received a second letter changing the day by a couple of days. In fact, often receive two or three letters on the same day! My guess is this is deliberate so they can massage their stats / waiting lists by saying that people cancelled / didn't turn up?