In a commentary headlined "Don't scrap our system," Rep. Tim Johnson defends health care in the U.S., calling it the "best in the world, the best doctors, and most advanced resources."

Mr. Johnson provided no support for his statement.

While we certainly have some fine physicians and we spend a lot of money on health, the fact is that the United States has one of the most expensive, but lowest ranking, health care systems among all industrialized countries. We rank 30th in life expectancy and 33rd for infant mortality.

The Dutch are bigger, healthier and happier than we are and pay much less for their government-run health care system.

The reason many government-run systems are more effective is that they stress wellness and prevention programs, and as a result their citizens live longer, happier lives.

Mr. Johnson later correctly states that U.S. health care costs are rising and too many citizens can't afford it. This doesn't sound like the best health care system to me.

We don't use the free-market system for community fire protection or law enforcement. We shouldn't use a free-market system for health care either.

In the United States, hospitals make money when they do procedures, needed or not.

Recently, my mother's physician tried to pressure her into having a knee replacement. My brother took her to another orthopedic surgeon who diagnosed it as a hip problem that was treated with physical therapy. Our current system is not working, and it is time to scrap it.

George Byrns

Bloomington