Letters: The folly of relying on private healthcare; Trumpism has arrived in New Zealand politics

"Americans are living shorter, sicker lives despite having the most expensive healthcare system in the world. Is that what we want for New Zealand?"

Letters to the Editor

The folly of private healthcare

Those in favour of private healthcare should remember that in health outcomes, the USA, where private healthcare prevails, ranks bottom out of 10 first-world countries with Australia, the Netherlands and the UK being top performers (Jan 30).

The US has the highest rate of preventable deaths and a lower-than-average life expectancy. Regarding infant mortality, the USA comes 33rd out of 38 OECD countries.

Maternal deaths are more than double. The UK, with its NHS, has higher life expectancy and lower maternal mortality while spending far less per capita than the US.

A review of over 100 research studies comparing public health versus private revealed that providers in the private sector more frequently violated medical standards of practice.

Americans are living shorter, sicker lives despite having the most expensive healthcare system in the world. Is that what we want for New Zealand?

Once lost, our wonderful public health system can never be recovered.

Susan Grimsdell, Auckland Central.

Improving outcomes

I hope that David Seymour and others advocating for greater privatisation of our healthcare system will consider the evidence from analyses by organisations such as the Commonwealth Fund.

The United States has the most privatised system of healthcare among the OECD and wealthier countries. While spending significantly more than other countries (more than twice as much per capita as New Zealand) it generally has the worst outcomes – the lowest life expectancy, the highest rate of people with multiple chronic conditions and obesity, the highest rate of avoidable deaths, the highest rate of infant and maternal deaths and a much higher rate of deaths from assault.

Do we really want to follow this example? I believe that we have a reasonable balance between public and private healthcare and that by increasing our per capita spending in the public system to something nearer that of Australia, we could improve our outcomes.

Karla Rix-Trott, Raglan.

Trumpism is here

“Send the Mexicans home,” says Shane Jones, arrogantly unapologetic, like an honorary Proud Boy (Jan 30).

We needed a dose of Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters’ vitriolic arrogance and a bombastic blast of Trumpish gusto from his sidekick Shane Jones to come to a simple conclusion. Trumpism is here, just as incomprehensible – unadulterated racism is rife.

The race card from NZ First, coupled with the arrogance of Act’s racist Treaty Principles Bill, shows how twisted and sinister politics has become in New Zealand. Trumpism and a weak, naive PM has unleashed our right wing’s darker side.

The fecundity of feckless Trumpish behaviour makes us all fools. We have swung from “be kind” to “be cruel”. This is not us, but we all pulled by the extreme gravitas of this black hole – a “Beehive of hatred”. The sunshine is being sucked out of us by these power-hungry politicians.

This dying coalition needs its carotid artery cauterised before the good is totally drained from our social structure. This is not us – surely not.

Steve Russell, Hillcrest.

Asset sense

Some of our so-called “state assets” are those which are essential services such as electric power and water.

Since Electricorp was split up and sold, our prices have risen astronomically, as their main consideration is profit. If still in state hands, no doubt we would have been encouraged to install solar panels, which would have helped reduce the necessity for more investment in power generation.

The other essential is water. I cannot understand why every new free-standing house built has not included a rain tank compulsorily. Many years ago, friends living in central Melbourne were told they must install a tank or be denied permission to extend their house. The tank is under the deck.

In these matters I cannot understand why we have not followed the example of Australia where common sense reigns.

P.A. Tobin, Waiheke Island.

Billionaire jinx?

Paul Lewis’ excellent America’s Cup legal battle story portrays a classic legal stoush brewing between Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Ben Ainslie over control and ownership of team designs, intellectual property and assets. It also impacts the Royal Yacht Squadron, which is the Challenger of Record for the next America’s Cup.

Ratcliffe’s Ineos sponsorship of several high-profile sporting teams, including Manchester United and the All Blacks, seems to initially involve teams at their peak who then begin to lose their winning ways. Is there a possible jinx vibe developing around Ratcliffe’s sponsorships?

Gary Carter, Gulf Harbour.

Lack of spark

My thoughts exactly to correspondent Dennis Ross (Jan 29) on the Auckland Anniversary Regatta. On Monday, I took a lovely bus ride over the bridge to the city. No boats out. Went to the buskers, I’ve been going for 17 years and that was the worst one ever. No night shows, fewer buskers, fewer busker sites. Queens Wharf used to have Navy ship open days, the whole city was magical. Now the energy of the Viaduct has lost its spark. Sad really. I won’t bother going next year.

Helen Lowe, Totaravale.