When people say the US is number one they are probably referring to our cutting edge medical technology (which they can't afford anyway).
I looked at this particular issue I think it was early last year. I don't recall our overall raking for quality but it was much much higher than you've suggested. I do recall we're also among the most expensive. Many reasons for that of course. One of note is the absurd out of control cost of medical education in this country. Which, among other things of course, also leads to doctors wanting to/insisting on charging so much more than other doctors worldwide for their services.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2013/aug/21/nevada-afl-cio-condemns-obamacare/ "The Nevada State AFL-CIO passed a resolution slamming Obamacare today..."
UPS drops health benefits for 15,000 spouses. An Obamacare bellwhether? http://news.yahoo.com/ups-drops-health-benefits-15-000-spouses-obamacare-122911969.html One of the basic pledges President Obama has made regarding his health-care reforms is that âif you like the plan you have, you can keep it.â Itâs also a pledge that could come back to bite, politically. The latest sign of that is the news, made public this week, that shipping company UPS will no longer make health insurance benefits available to some 15,000 employee spouses. In announcing the change, the company referred to Obamacare as a reason it is having to battle to contain health-care costs