In addition to smileysteve's comments, I'd also question the idea that the US is the #1 system in the world. By some metrics? Yes. By other metrics? No. It seems to be a subjective argument thrown around with about as much basis behind it as the people who seem to think we have a free market healthcare system when we obviously don't. We have a weird public / private mix that's incredibly complicated, not a free market at all, and honestly I've had so many problems with debt collectors coming after me for massive bills that nobody can explain for me (all stemming from either childbirth or routine preventative care mind you, like I said I'm pretty healthy) that I consider the panic attacks I get from the process my #1 health risk. I can't imagine what it must be like for people who get cancer, though I've heard horror stories.