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Across the globe, citizens of nations with government-run health care systems experience long wait times, a lack of access to certain treatments and, in some instances, a diminished quality of medical care. Navigate the links below to learn more about patients’ health care horror stories.

The number of U.S. patients killed annually by medical errors is equivalent to 4 jumbo jets crashing each week. Some prestigious hospitals participating in a national collaborative to measure surgical complications have four to five times more complications as other hospitals. It’s the kind of data that, if you had access to it, would help you know just where to find the best care. But you don’t.

India's Chhattisgarh state is investigating reports that thousands of women had unnecessary hysterectomies so hospitals could make insurance claims. They were carried out under a national insurance scheme whereby private hospitals claim for treating patients who cannot afford expensive procedures. Officials estimate more than 2,000 women were talked into having their wombs removed in the last six months. The 34 medical centres accused have not yet commented on the allegations.

Government, public health and dairy industry officials want to restrict the sale and distribution of raw milk, citing safety concerns. But small dairy farmers, organic consumers' advocates and raw milk drinkers say that safety isn't the real issue -- it's control of the dairy market. The FDA and CDC have been particularly aggressive recently in their efforts to crack down on raw milk under the pretense of public health safety.

50 Ways Census Data Are Used
• Decision making at all levels of government.
• Drawing federal, state, and local legislative districts.
• Attracting new businesses to state and local areas.
• Distributing over $300 billion in federal funds and even more in state funds.
• Forecasting future transportation needs for all segments of the population.
• Planning for hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and the location of other health services.
• Forecasting future housing needs for all segments of the population.

Is there a proposal that fixes the TSA and health care while also reducing the cost of government? Is it something that Republicans, Democrats, and fiscal libertarians can all agree on? Or is this compromise too good to be true?

A sweeping bill overhauling the U.S. medical system goes to President Obama's desk on Monday to be signed into law. The measure, which cleared the Senate in December, constitutes the biggest expansion of federal health care guarantees since Medicare and Medicaid were enacted more than four decades ago.

U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson accepted without trial the states' argument that the new law violates people's rights by forcing them to buy health insurance by 2014 or face penalties. At issue was whether the government is reaching beyond its constitutional power to regulate interstate commerce by requiring citizens to purchase health insurance or face tax penalties.

LONDON — Perhaps the only consistent thing about Britain’s socialized health care system is that it is in a perpetual state of flux, its structure constantly changing as governments search for the elusive formula that will deliver the best care for the cheapest price while costs and demand escalate.