Hell and 4 other travel destinations for health care reform opponents

September 4, 12:42 PMLouisville Travel ExaminerZach Everson

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Physicist Stephen Hawking: Alive, English and a satisfied patient of the U.K.'s National Health
Service. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Traveling to these countries should correct some common misconceptions among opponents of health care reform--and show them that when it comes to compassion and the well-being of its citizens, the United States is not number one.

5. Canada

Critics of universal health care love to rip on our neighbors to the north's publicly funded health care system, but the joke is on Americans: according to the CIA's World Fact Book, Canadians' life expectancy at birth is 81.23 years--more than three years great than that of Americans (despite it being really friggin' cold up there).

If Canada's health care system is so bad, how come Americans die earlier? And if our Medicare system is so fantastic, why do our seniors go there for affordable prescriptions?

4. The United Kingdom

Despite claims to the contrary, Stephen Hawking would stand a chance of living if his health care was influenced by the U.K.'s National Health Service.

How do I know this is a fact? Hawking lives in England and has been treated by the NHS. Don't trust me? Take his word: "I wouldn't be here today if it were not for the NHS," Hawking told the Guardian. "I have received a large amount of high-quality treatment without which I would not have survived."

And Hawking's case is not unique: citizens of the U.K. are surviving almost a year longer than we Americans.

3. Texas

Now here's a part of the world that has death panels that kill innocent people.

2. France

In 2000 the World Health Organization ranked France as having the best health system in the world. The United States came in 37th (in between Costa Rica and Slovenia). When it comes to health care, this anathema to American conservatives kicks our ass badly.

1. Hell

I'm pretty sure The Jesus would be for universal health care. You know, love thy neighbor and all.