Shorter wait times for surgery only winner for U.S. (International Comparisons).(international health systems survey)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)

Much shorter waiting times for nonemergency or elective surgery are the only clear advantage the United States health system has over the systems of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, according to the 2001 edition of an annual international survey conducted by the Commonwealth Fund. By wide margins, the United States had the highest numbers of respondents who reported that they have serious problems paying medical bills, have forgone care because they couldn't afford it, pay more than $200 annually out of pocket for prescription drugs, and can't get a same-day doctor's appointment when they feel they need one.

Sixty-three percent of Americans …