Burns: When my father in law was in Houston with A.L.L. (Lymphoma) at MD Anderson, people were flying in from Russia, Germany, Switzerland, Thailand, the Middle East, South America, and Canada for cancer treatment there. They were paying out of their own pockets, cash. Yes, they were all rich, but they did not come there for third world care. The Russian oil man, Friedrick, is still friends with my mother-in law. My father-in-law died, and so did Fred's wife of 38 years, but he says we have the best in the world, and this is a man that comes in on his private aircraft to get that care, so I find it hard to believe we are so far off the mark with the quality. The Germans and Hungarians I work with are amazed at how many places they can go for basic or specialized care. They don't shop around. You get what there is. I'm not saying our system does not suck, since they let my wife and child's situation degrade to the point of "medical emergency" for 19 1/2 hours before they would do a C section. They said if they did not, the insurance would not pay for the operation. You say they provide better care at a lower cost. Based on who's assessment of better care, and a lower cost to whom? Seems to me no matter what the answer is it starts with: First, JD is gonna have to pony up some more cash! I'm going to bed.
