People Are Questioning The U.S. Healthcare System After This American Gets Hospitalized In Taiwan And Only Has To Pay $80
Getting sick really sucks, no matter where you are. However, there are certain places in the world where the bill for emergency care is a killer blow that magnifies your misery 100 fold, so you better make sure your insurance is top notch.
Image credits: Kevin Bozeat
Luckily for 25-year-old American student Kevin Bozeat, Taiwan is not one of those places. With his U.S. health insurance lapsed, and not qualifying for the local national healthcare system, he feared the worst when he was rushed to ER with severe stomach pains and vomiting. “The last thing I ate before getting sick was KFC, but I don’t think that was it because I got sick less than an hour after eating. The incubation period was too fast, Kevin told Bored Panda.“Rather, I ate some roast duck at a night market the night before. I think that was the culprit.”
The care itself was swift, professional and quite regulation; IV fluids, blood tests and an ultrasound to check for gallstones. He was diagnosed with a stomach virus, given some prescription medicine and sent on his way, he would be just fine.
Image credits: Kevin Bozeat
Still, in the back of his mind, he knew that back home this would set him back a couple of thousand dollars, at least. What kind of bill was waiting for him, now he was on the road to recovery? “Eighty. American. Dollars,” he wrote. “Out of pocket. Full cost. No discounts. No insurance. At one of the best hospitals in Taiwan.”
Image credits: Wikipedia
Kevin went viral again, this time for happier reasons. His post has been shared over 200k times on Facebook, and has reignited the long-running debate about the criminally inhumane healthcare system in the U.S. Predictably, there were some people who continue to vote against their own interests and live in perpetual fear of the term ‘socialized,’ so Kevin posted an update that clarified a few points and shed light on the way they do things in Taiwan.
“Some were skeptical about the price,” he wrote, “one person thought this was in Thailand, a few made excuses to bash Taiwan’s health system despite them knowing nothing about it. So I thought I would clarify a few things:
1: Yes, Taiwan has a noticeably cheaper cost of living than the US, healthcare included. However, Taiwan isn’t that cheap. There are places in Southeast Asia, Latin America, Africa and Eastern Europe that are significantly cheaper than Taiwan.”
“2: Taiwan is not a poor country by any measure. Its GDP per capita is higher than Denmark, Austria and Canada.”
“3: Yes, doctors make less here, but it’s still considered a respected middle-class profession. And there seems to be no shortage of them.”
“4: Some people argued that exchange rates mean US$80 is a fortune for a Taiwanese person. No, you just have a poor understanding of numismatics. The exchange rate has nothing to do with the overall cost. Just because $1 Taiwan dollar is US 3¢ doesn’t mean I can live large here. $50 Taiwan dollars won’t even buy you a Big Mac.”
When confronted with the common argument about sky-high taxes needed to fund such a system (whereas spending trillions on military ‘defense’ missions all over the world is somehow justified), Kevin did some calculations to show the reality in Taiwan
“5: Yes, taxes pay for the healthcare here. No, they are not high. Try for yourself: The formula for the NHI monthly premium contribution for a single employed adult is: [your monthly income] x 0.0469 (4.69%) x 0.3 (30%) = Your monthly out-of-pocket healthcare premium.”
“6: It’s not perfect. Not everything is 100% covered. I had a good experience, but I’m sure many people have had [non-financial] medical horror stories here.
“7: This system exists because the Taiwanese government believes that healthcare is a right for all of its citizens, rather than a privilege for those who can afford it. Those aren’t my words, that’s what the Ministry of Health said in its English language brochure. Every Taiwanese citizen and foreign permanent resident is entitled to, and required to enroll in the National Health Insurance Program (NHI). Everyone is covered, regardless of employment status, no one is uninsured, no one ever goes bankrupt due to medical bills. I have yet to meet a Taiwanese person who wasn’t satisfied with, or even outright proud of their healthcare system. My expat friends praise it, even those from countries with universal healthcare systems of their own.”
Bringing his well-reasoned rant to an end, Kevin wraps up with some points that are pretty hard to argue with. In the U.S., universal healthcare is a heavily politicized subject. One that is skewed by powerful lobbies and special interests that benefit from the status quo. As usual, it is the average person that suffers the consequences of greed and short-sightedness. I just hope that I never need emergency care in the USA.
“Taiwan is less wealthy than the US, yet it spends less and gets more out of its healthcare system,” he summarises. “We see the same story repeat itself in every other developed nation. This debate is all so tiresome because there is no debate. Universal healthcare works, it can be done here, it can be done in any country with sufficient resources. All we need is political will and an implementation plan.”
“Pardon my French but, America, get your head out of your ass, and stop making excuses.”
People had their say and shared their own experiences
Kevin’s story holds a mirror to an uncomfortable part of American society, one which baffles foreigners and leaves many Americans in a kind of patriotic denial. “I think Americans tend to live in a bubble of sorts, many don’t know how things work in the rest of the world (I think only 36% of us own passports),” he later added to Bored Panda. “Special interests exaggerate the negatives of universal healthcare and never mention the benefits, its always about taxes and wait times, never about outcomes.”
“Sadly, many Americans believe them because they have never been to exposed to different perspectives. My story is small, but I got tons of messages from other Americans who got sick abroad and were pleasantly surprised at the care they received.”
“I definitely think the conversation is changing though, people are opening their eyes. They’re fed up. Many presidential candidates are making universal healthcare part of their campaign promises.”
“However, I don’t have confidence that the political will exists to implement it, or that it can be done well.”
345Kviews
Share on FacebookSomeone recently mentioned that perhaps Americans think Universal Healthcare would be very expensive, because they think medicine costs are very high, when in reality prices in the US are very inflated compared to the rest of the world because of the current healthcare system they have.
@Tyler It's not because of the government. It's the private hospitals pumping up prices so they can get as much cash possible from the insurance companies. Pharmaceuticals are also ridiculously expensive, because there is barely any regulation to make sure companies are not charging too much for lifesaving medication.
Load More Replies...I have lived in multiple countries in Europe and Africa, and I also lived in the USA for over 20 years. I have seen many different healthcare systems. The USA has possibly the worst I have ever come across. I am not talking about individual practitioners, like ER nurses and pediatricians. I'm talking about the system. It's horrific. I went seven years without health insurance. I was self-employed and did not qualify for government health insurance. I had severe health problems during that time and had to buy medicine from India because I couldn't afford to do anything in the USA without risking the health and wellbeing of my dependants. I have so many nightmare stories from so many people there. Any country that has a for-profit healthcare system is always going to put money ahead of health. The people who make the profit are never going to support a change in the system.
I live in Sweden. We do NOT pay 70% tac rate to get free healthcare. So maybe check your facts before YOU start accusing "socialist countries " of lying. Also, please pay a tutor to help you with your grammar. In Sweden all schools are free, even up to university levels. English is my second language but I have a better grip on it than you do.
Lol hate when the always get that tax thing totally wrong. Every damn time!!
Load More Replies...There's this picture on the net where an American hospital charges $39.95 for a mother to hold her new born baby. 91517144_m...2233b1.jpg
Healthcare should always be well-serviced and affordable, no matter where you are.
@Tyler Duffy - So not true.. I'm from the UK and we have free healthcare (NHS) and it's mostly fantastic. My sister went through a difficult birth and all the health professionals involved were very good at what they did and she fully recovered. And most importantly.. She didn't have to pay anything. I also know a couple of people who were treated for cancer through the NHS and they are all now cancer free and felt fully supported throughout. Don't know how long this will last for though, the way the UK is going
Load More Replies...I am Swedish and have an American best friend but after years with her I still don´t understand the american system! Yes, us swedes pay a lot of taxes. An insane amount in her eyes. But that means that we don´t have to worry about things like healthcare and schools and other things. I have bad health with a couple of chronic illnesses , MS being the most annoying one. I am on Tysabri every four weeks, which here means I have to spend 3-4 hours at the neurological dayward with IV and frequent checking by nurse and tests. That costs 200 SEK (21.35 USD) for me BUT here it´s a rule that you only need to spend 1100 (117.44 USD) on hospitalcosts PER year - after that amount you get a card saying that you have free healthcare until that year-period runs out. I do not pay extra for the medication on top of hospitalcost- it´s all that one cost since I need to get the medication in IV in hospital. In USA the medication only is 5629 USD. Here medications have another "Max 1100 SEK a year", so
even with my poor health and all the healthcare and medication I need - I only pay 2200 SEK a year
Load More Replies...Here in Finland some people always complain that the taxes are too high. But at least health care is affordable for everyone because every Finnish citizen has a free health insurance. For example last year I had two wisdom teeth removed and it was a slighty more difficult operation than usual so the oral surgeon was needed instead of a regular dentist but the whole operation still cost approximately 200 Euros (including also the X-rays, painkillers and other stuff). I know that in USA some people easily have to pay twice as much just to get one wisdom teeth removed and that only if a normal dentist can do that... If a oral surgeon is needed then it can be ridiculously expensive.
We have had good thing going past decades, haven't we. So glad the "money for the mates" - sote fell down. I hope the next goverment will have some sense
Load More Replies...By the standard of THE REST OF THE WORLD America is a third world area for health care. You are so backwards in just looking after your people, it's laughable. It's still sad and adorable that Americans don't seem to know this.
Can't believe there is so many god damn stupid comments here who, as soon as they heat the word "socialism" fall to the ground in fetal position. You need to educate yourself, do your own thinking instead of believing everything your greedy government wants you to know. You have been brainwashed, and it's painfully obvious
I had a couple of similar experiences in China. The care is basic but good, and if they are not sure they tell you. Ultrasound, Xrays, bloods, consult, drugs to take at home urinalysis all for under $100 USD.
It's so funny to me that it's referred to as a healthcare system in the US. It's not a system, it's a mess!
As an English person with kidney disease, epilepsy, chronic anaemia and chronic neuropathic pain, I can't begin to describe how thankful I am to not live in America with these ailments. Insurance companies wouldn't touch me with a barge pole. I'd be, proverbially, f****d.
I have neurofibromatosis type 2 and my dad has diabetes and kidney disease. We're both covered, so yeah policies would touch you but the sicker you are the more ridiculous the costs. My bills are enormous. I would do anything for the NHS.
Load More Replies...Linda hit the nail on the head...other doctors in other countries don't have to pay for huge medical malpractice insurance. We, as Americans, are sue happy. I have had two friends that are EMT's. They've been dragged into court time and time again because of a patient that is upset that their lives can't resume back to what it was before their medical emergency..so they are looking for a way to blame anyone but themselves. Many of them don't realize that, without those EMT's, they wouldn't be alive to sue ANYONE. It's not just our healthcare system that is messed up. Our court system needs to put a stop to the frivolous lawsuits and government needs to start making and implementing liability laws that protect medical professionals from those sue happy people.
There's too many lawyers that are actually just a mafia. They go hospitals to get new clients to sue the hospital or the doctors. This is just insane.
Load More Replies...I would also commend Qatar. My mother visited me as I was living there. She slipped in the bathroom. With some pain in her rib area we took her to the hospital where she was attended to promptly, had an x-ray which revealed a crack in her ribs. They also did an MRI scan to check for any possible organ or tissue damage. She was sent on her way within a few hours, with a bag of medication. The cost? $0. A big fat zero. I may have paid an insignificant amount for the drugs (I don't recall), but that was all. She had travel insurance, but was not asked for it.
I wonder if the one of third world country is in fact also the Great USA?
Load More Replies...You start questioning the system NOW? The rest of the world has felt sorry for u guys for years now.
Our healthcare system is outrageous, i have a good friend with epilepsy who has to wear a medical alert bracelet saying he is epileptic if he has a seizure do not call 911 because he is still responsible even if some stranger calls 911 trying to be a good samaritan.
I'm glad that once again, American propaganda has been exposed. Politicians there are lying to you that socialism is evil. This is a real example of socialism. They just want to protect their elite status and make sure nothing stops them earning billions of dollars, so of course, they'll lie to you. Half of Americans are complete idiots anyway, so they'll believe what they want to hear without question.
It’s not the kind of socialism that Americans fear (due to anti-communist coldwar propaganda starting in the 50s), but it is a type of socialism. There are plenty examples of socialism that works, all around the world.
Load More Replies...Well the Health Insurance and Big Pharma industries have our politicians by the balls. Until they pass campaign finance laws and also laws prohibiting lobbying. Only then can we see a push for cheaper medical care in this country (USA).
It’s not just they have the government by the balls. They have colonized the government. There’s constantly a revolving door between corporate America and government office, with the most egregious cases being the swamp that Trump has installed in his administration. Privileged rich people who are installed in government departments that they’ve previously indicated wanting to destroy. Wrecking all remaining oversight and regulation from the inside.
Load More Replies...I don't understand why the US doesn't "get it". Here in Belgium, a visit to my GP is about $26 and I get about $23 reimbursed... Prescribed drugs are just the same. I use Ventolin as an asthmatic, without prescription they are about $6.67 without $0.67. Affordable either way. I went to a hospital for a leg scan a few months ago, set me back about $60... People deserve affordable health care in the US, affordable medication and there should be no excuses or what if's about it.... America claims to be so advanced and so much better than many countries which in many cases is true, but when it comes to your medical care, you guys seem stuck in a medieval period.......
I would do anything to live in a country like yours. I am chronically ill and pay through the roof for care, much of the time it's not even GOOD care. A lot of countries require patients to develop symptoms after moving there or marrying a citizen or else I'd be on the next flight.
Load More Replies...USA don't have health care system, they have health business system :)
I pay 320 a month for personal health insurance through my work. I fell down the stairs once and busted my elbow wide open. I waited in the ER for 7 hours to get 5 stitches. My bill, even with insurance was 1200 dollars. FOR 5 STITCHES. I don't have 1200 dollars. I never paid the bill because I can't afford it. Please conservatives, explain to me why this is acceptable. It's ok. I'll sit here and wait.
In the US, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and insurers are run by corporations. The goal of corporations is to maximize profit for shareholders. That's why US residents pay so much and get nothing in return. It's simple economics.
I just got a refill on a medication I take. Since we haven't met our $4,000 deductible for the year a 3 month supply was $1200. That was one of 6 medications I'm on. And another issue was when I was in the hospital I noticed a charge for $300 for Motrin. Thing is I wasn't given any medication the entire time I was in so that's why I noticed it. The U.S. government needs to reign in these pharma companies, it's out of whack.
This article was posted on an American right-wing page and they are all infiltrating and downvoting any post critical of America or saying anything postive about foreign or universal health care. Just ignore the roaches and they will eventually crawl back to their dens.
Load More Replies...I've gone through a couple pretty painful procedures without anesthesia because of the cost.
As an American I am completely pro universal healthcare. I wish our politicians would get on board with it already. It's really sad to see other countries figuring things out and us being left behind. I have had asthma since childhood and need multiple medications throughout the year. I usually make a trip to the ER for an asthma attack every 1-2 years. I have always tried to keep my income below medi-cal income limits (known as medicaid outside of California) in order to have health coverage if I don't have insurance through work. I have turned down jobs because of this. I have worked for cash ("off the books", "under the table") because of this. I have been engaged to my fiance for 11 years because he hasn't had work with insurance or good coverage and our combined income would no longer qualify for medi-cal. We have been seriously considering moving to another country where we could actually afford to live and have healthcare despite our love for our country.
15 years ago my (uninsured) daughter arrived in NYC from LA sick with strep throat. She went to a hospital, got stretomycin (or some equivalent), took a plane to upstate where we live the next day, got a drip to re-hydrate her and maybe some aspirin: $1800. Five years ago my wife slipped on the ice and broke her femur right across the street from a hospital. We are insured but the ambulance backed out of the hospital entrance, drove across the street, picked her up, U-turned back to the hospital--a total distance of 200 feet: $1000 or so. In the US medical care takes care of people making money off of medical care--insurance and drug companies.
I live in the border of Mexico with the US. And many american people come down to Tijuana to look for medical treatment. And yeah, I'm pretty sure some will say "Doctors in Mexico must be bad" just because of the bad reputation of this country. But they're wrong. Just as in ANY country, there are good and bad doctors. Private health care in Mexico is not "cheap", but it is waaaay less expensive than those ridiculous prices in the US. When my dad (american citizen) was taken to the hospital (in the US) in an ambulance... it cost about 1000 dlls!! just to take him to the hospital!! Ridiculous.
In my state in Australia ambulance ride and treatment is free. Also hospital treatment. I might have to wait in Emergency department when other people are more desperately unwell, and that is fair enough. Nurses , lab technicians, orderlies, pay is lousy and conditions are horrible. So there just are not enough of them.
Oh yeah and they suffer horrific abuse from some stinkers in the general public faaar tooooo much. Physical attacks I mean. Who'd keep working there if there is any choice.
Load More Replies...In Argentina is free. You can have anything, and the hospital would cost you $ 0. So the university. You can study anything for free. And is equal if you are argentinian or from another country.
I've been woking for a great european travel/medical insurance, since over a decade. As everywhere in the world, there are good and bad doctors, by the way the US system is a mess it-self, not care-oriented, absolutely profit-oriented. If someone there saw SICKO, i can ensure you all you can see in this movie is real, and still happening) Moreover, usually if you go to a urgent care for a visit as a private you'll pay (for example) 200 USD, as insured the cost grow up to 5/600 USD. The system has a lot of tricks to create a kind of "confort profit area" for doctors, facilities, and others. like the PPO provider, that exist only to renegotiate a lower price. Actually, it's like a shop with a sale 30% off, but in the previous month they increased all prices to 200%...so a false discount.As insurance, we suffer their unbelievable bureaucracy, the delay to receive the invoices it may takes up to 2 years!!!They several times send invoice to both, insurance and client. a real jungle
Here in Italy you don't even pay for it, not in the ER. Everything they do to you even medicine or emergency operation etc are free. Only when they dismiss you with a reciper for medicine (antibiotics etc) they end up costing not more than 3 euro. Bad side, everything like dental care, specialists of any kind are really expensive.. But never like America.
One can only come to the conclusion that Americans are very ignorant.
When I was in Sweden for a year as an exchange student, I got bronchitis. The doctor came to the house to see me, checked me over, and gave me injections of antibiotics and a script for more my house mother filled for me, don’t know the cost, as my parents never got a single bill! It does work, and I’m with Kevin! Redo our healthcare system, and cover everyone. Stop lobbyists from big pharm companies and other places from making it more expensive. And... these same companies have divisions in other countries, but those countries refuse to pay the high prices we are subject to, so, why do we Americans put up with it? Greed.
Over here it wouldn't of cost you that much, just about $12 for the medication and that's it.
We need to get rid of the insurance companies first, which will never happen. Why is it that with insurance, you get charged over 3 grand for an MRI, but if you have no insurance it's $300? Why does my doctor charge $385 for an office visit with insurance, but if you don't have it it costs $90? This right here is the problem. That and the fact that the politicians who have the power to change the system all have top tier insurance that comes with their position. They should have to fend for themselves like millions of us do. Watch how quick our system changes if they put that into effect.
Ive had a similar experience in India. I was in Shimla and had already been suffering with a stomach flu from Chandigar. The mountains in Shimla had just made it worse and so I had to go to the local GP, even though there was just a small room with not much equipment, The Doctor was super friendly, did a full check up on me, gave me medication for a whole week and advice all for 2$!!! Within an hour i was already feeling better, not only is there services amazing but their medication works 10x better!
I became gravely I’ll the day after my sons 2nd birthday. ER hospital 1. Emergency treatment as I was unconscious, blood tests, spinal tap, treated by the countries leading communicable diseases expert who just happened to be there giving a lecture that day. IVs, Drugs, preventative Drugs given to all my kids & close family who I’d been in contact with. Friday October 13th diagnosed with Meningococal Septicemia. Transferred to another hospitals ICU by Care Flight helicopter , full surgical team onboard, 2 weeks in a coma on total life support, Renal failure, Respiritory failure, then a miscarrage with massive hemorrhaging, heart stopped twice. Then 2 weeks recovery. A nurse told me they were doing disaster training when the call came that I was coming in, 36 yr old pregnant mother of 4 with Meningococcal Septicemia, they thought it was a hoax. She told me that it cost $660,000 in Drugs & equipment alone to save my life. Plus $16,000 just for the helicopter,
I agree healthcare sucks in America and I pay almost 1/5 of my gross pay to insurance premiums each month for my family. I kniw we are the country getting screwed with high cost while all others pay less. These are international companies with consolidated financial statements. What would happen if our healthcare does switch to universal health-care and coat get cut in half? Would other countries see an increase in cost? Would people in America loss some jobs? I am all for universal healthcare, but I have questions too.
What I think, it's so very wrong that there's even a possibility to stock exchange speculation about people healthcare, food or other necessities. Here in Finland we have had it good but now there's been pushing towards privatization. And latest was that one of the private sheltered housing for seniors had suspicially high 'death toll' just because the lack of proper care
The only people who defend our insane healthcare system are those that tow party line not currently wrapped up in it. With my neurological condition, I have two insurance plus medicaid, costs are through the roof, and I still get turned away at doctors' offices because "we're not sure if you can pay". My longtime hospital stopped covering both my insurance policies when Trump was elected "just in case" and now I can't see one of the few neurosurgeons in the tristate area who knows wtf he's doing vis-a-vis my rare condition. I have to trek down to NIH. Out of state won't accept medicaid either. Both policies hem and haw about covering procedures I've had biannually for 20 years. MRIs. CTs. Pain management. They just stopped coverage on expensive prescription only eyedrops because "you're too young". I also have ocular tumors and I'm already deaf. People with my exact illness who live in countries with socialized healthcare rave about it. If they need brain surgery they get it ASAP,
they do not have to wait a year, i have no idea where that bull came from. My friend's chemo treatments cost a total of TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS. Mine are 500-1000 each. Healthcare is just a debating point on social media for most, it's life for people like me. And people would like me would do anything for free healthcare.
Load More Replies...I find the fear of "socialized medicine" utterly ridiculous. This is a country where government money goes towards sponsoring sports scholarship and expensive sports programs at universities for people to watch. (Essentially socialized sports). America thinks socialized sports are a good idea but don't think universal healthcare is a good idea. /Yes I know some universities profit from sports programs but many do not and all public universities are built on a framework of public money regardless. Also socialized sports takes revenue away from private sports teams.
I was suffering from herpes for five years, but thanks to god I am cured. I had for some time now noticed having difficulty in pain. Never in my wildest dreams did it cross my mind that I may develop a serious herpes disease. early this year January i purchased herbal remedy from Dr Ajayi, after taking it for 21 days, I was totally reversed within 21 days of usage am so happy to share this great news to everyone and i want to advice anyone suffering from such disease herpes to quickly email Dr Ajayi via ajayiherbalhome@gmail.com you can also call or write him on whatsapp +2348154724883..
hello everyone i wish to share my testimony on how i got cured from herpes few months back, i was looking at symptoms and at the same time looking for help on how to get rid of the virus because i was having frequent outbreaks which was very painful, all thanks to dr harry i came across his post i decided to contact him if he could help, i explained everything to him and he told me that there’s a cure i had no choice than to order the medicine from him, after ordering the medicine it got here in 4 days through fedex delivery, prescription and diet plan was attached to the package which lasted for 2 weeks after i was done he told me to go back and get tested again to see if i was still having the the virus to my greatest surprise the results came back negative after years of suffering from i then realised i wasted money on doctors prescription (acciclovir,lipvir and others) i even changed my diet due to the virus but nothing worked, i'm grateful to dr harry, you can cotact him via email
My niece just told me that in the year she lived in Taiwan she had surgery in her left hand and paid 200.00 for the surgery, hospitalization, follow-up visits, and pain medications. So it can done.
Unfortunately, all our politicians are corrupt sociopaths, so even when the government gets involved, they only make it worse. Their solution was to create Obamacare - which is literally legalized extortion. Since it's been passed, we've been fined every year for not being able to afford their scam insurance. To reiterate - they are fining us for being too poor. That's their solution. They wanted over 12 grand in fees and deductibles *before* their insurance kicks in, and even then it only covers 40%, even on prescriptions. Those are loan shark terms. Until we get rid of insurance companies and lobbyists altogether, it will not change. An MRI without insurance costs $300. With insurance it's $3,500. Even the uninformed can see that is a major problem. We have several successful examples from other countries to model our system after, yet nothing ever changes. Make politicians fend for themselves for healthcare and see how fast it changes. But that will never happen.
80$ American is worth over $2400 in Taiwan. Did anyone bother to look that up?
As a Taiwanese, I really think that National Health Insurance in Taiwan is the most appropriate decision made by the government. From registration, seeing a doctor to picking up medicine, we basically only need to pay $5 to 20 (depending on the hospital type and the prescription). Therefore, it is not a burden for the citizen to see a doctor. ↓ Here's a video of the introduction of National Health Insurance in Taiwan :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIxXcG3b-1k
My theory is that governments have a plan to wipe out part of the world's population that don't have a high level of education. Today I watched a TV documentary about San Francisco where thousands of of homeless live either on the streets or in vans/camping cars. I lived in San Francisco for about 19 years and had never had seen such extreme poverty (1950 to 1970). This do to Google, Twitter, and all these high tech companies. People are forced out of their homes and the rents have gone up to ridiculously high prices. This situation is insane. The American dream never really existed for all and now it's The American nightmare. I feel so sad that a country can't or won't care for the weakest. Trump wants to send men on the moon. Why heaven's name is the use of it??? Wouldn't the money be better used to improve the daily life of the poor in your country?
Here in Switzerland the authorities always follow the USA in sort of manners. The 1st health care insurance I had cost 25._ Swiss Francs, all included, hospital bills, medications, doctor's bills and physiotherapy. Now I pay 657. Suisse francs and this is with out having a private hospital room. I feel very sad for all those who can't pay.
They arent questioning how their neighbors to the North arent paying Anything?
A few of us were in Los Ayala Mexico for a couple months, two of us went to hospital and had the best service , were prescribed meds , all for under $100.00 Canadian
I live on Curacao (small island of the Dutch Carib, aprox 155.000 inhabitants) and like every other legally living person here, I have free health care. Even if you don't have a job or a low income. Doctor, hospital, surgery, everything is covered. Only for medicines we pay $0.50 for each prescription. Even some dentits are covered by health care. No stupid or difficult paperwork, just showing the health care badge with your name, picture and ID nr. is enough.
$80? Too much! $0 in Australia or NZ. Thanks be to God I'm not American
If the cost of educating them wasn't so ridiculously high, the cost of using that knowledge to help people would not be so astronomical. They have huge debt to pay off hopefully before they die. The higher education industry has become the biggest fleece market out there. It's a huge rip off, and the government is in on it... We are currently over 1 trillion in unpaid collage loans as a nation. that is humiliating and embarasing, and just wrong. We need to start at the bottom again, and teach children how to manage money. Everyone needs that... and also coping mechanisms that don't involve food or spending.
Take Big Pharma and their lobbyists out of the equation, prohibit TV advertising of drugs (that are too expensive and not covered), universal healthcare can work in this country, but there's too much money and greed, overregulation and lawyers. I've been an RN for almost 50 yrs, and believe me when I say in 10 years, there will not be enough nurses, or doctors. Ob-Gyn's are going out of practice, due to exorbitant malpractice insurance rates, medical students are not going into Primary Care or Internal Medicine, but opt for the specialities since the pay is higher. The government does have the power and resources to take care of its' people, instead of concentrating on building up a military arsenal, or fighting wars. There's a lot of corruption going on right now.
He paid $2469.32 in Taiwanese Currency. So what is he trying to say? He got in fast an got hooked up with treatment. I have never had a long wait in an ER. One of the problems here in the ERs is people going who do not need to be there. Average visit for ER in the US is $1200 before any medication or procedures. SO... He got an IV and a script. Looks like what he paid was actually pretty standard all things being relative.
Hospital corporations and pharmaceutical companies' motto: "pay me more before you die". U.S. republican lawmakers' motto: "hurry up and die after you pay them more".
We're on the sixth year of my husband's cancer journey. Hospital stays, three rounds of chemo, 33 bouts of radiation, doctor visits every three months or so, dental work (throat cancer, the radiation killed his jaw), etc. In the US, we'd probably be bankrupt by now. Here in Canada, the only thing we've had to pay for is the bus trips to and from the hospital. Got some free cataract surgery coming up for me next month, woohoo! Absolutely no reason why the US can't get with the program surely.
Please watch and act: https://represent.us/unbreaking-america/ We need to change our country!
Compare to Indonesia, USD 80 is still three times more expensive for such treatment.
"im glad to hear the system over in Asia is so good, as well" - this comment perfectly describes how racist the whole world is towards Asia. When you mention Asia, somehow immediately lots of people think of poverty, cheap and bad systems. You look up to Japan, Singapore, but look down to Asia itself. It's ridiculous.
People want to make money off sickness. Imagine if we were treated before we got sick, wellness care.. we’d get less sick, pay less, and we’d all be healthier.
I think it's just awesome to be able to hear the truth from people outside the US. US news doesn't tell everything and unless you want to devote your life to research you'll never know. BIG THANK YOU to everyone sharing their own information on this subject
I'm going through this right now. My boyfriend has been unable to work since November due to 3 hernias. We have to pay $1422 up front out of pocket for the surgery AFTER insurance covered the rest, plus the hospital charged our $250 copay at the pre-op visit yesterday. Without insurance, it would be over $10,000 for the operation. I'm the only one bringing in money and the up front costs have drained my accounts.
In the past two years I have undergone two surgeries for a broken shoulder. Hospitalized for a total of 2 weeks, the Italian healthcare system took care of everything. Surgery and hospitalization costs: 0 USD. 10 sessions of physiotherapy through the healthcare system: 80 USD. I feel very lucky to live in Italy, and I think it's about time the USA found a more human way to treat his sick citizens. A little tax increase is worth the privilege of knowing you won't have to sell your house to care for your elderly parents or your sick spouse.
Yep the Americans living the dream or should I say nightmare if it comes to healthcare and scholing. I'm glad to live in EU for that part...
I cannot fathom how somebody could have their whole life turned upside down with now thousands of dollars of depts for something that wouldn't even be your own fault e.g getting hit by a moving vehicule.
Here in US, we all want to live and not die, and the hospitals found put about it, and they are milking it as disney is milking starwars and marvel
I have no idea how much the staff & surgery & a month in hospital were. I walked out of hospital for a free ambulance ride home owing Nothing, a generous anonymous benefactor paid for the care flight. I’m so glad I live in Australia, if I was in the USA the bill would have crippled me for life. I am actually the 1 million dollar woman.
Having been military and seen those trillions of dollars at work... it's not justified not at all more so compared to heathcare. So much of the military is a joke financially especially with all the low-quality s**t or incompetent bureaucracy.
I wrecked my back last sept. and had heart attack levels of pain, passing out levels of pain. My US Obamacare doctor refused to give me any pain meds. She was sure that a ten day supply of pain med would make a complete, irreversible addict out of me. So no pain meds for Jay. I would have been better off to have someone drive me across the southern border at Progresso to get pain meds from a pharmacy. They sell you the pain meds first, then refer you to a doctor. All of this for a huge monthly insurance bill. I would have been better off without any insurance & just going to Mexico.
People are only questioning the American healthcare system now?? Just because of this one example of other countries’ healthcare systems? A bit late to the party, whoever those people are...
We’ve been questioning it for a long time. This isn’t a new issue.
Load More Replies...Here's what I know: Most of you are going on about how prices are inflated here in the US but there's one thing you are all obviously missing - In countries like China and Taiwan, nurses get paid an average of $2.50 an hour (Source: http://creativenurse.com/nurse-salaries-from-high-to-low-around-the-world/) Would YOU work in the healthcare industry as a nurse for that much pay? Why would you expect a nurse here in the US to work for the same? People really need to stop comparing healthcare prices from around the world assuming that countries like the US should provide the same service for the same price as countries like China, Taiwan, etc - the cost of living in those countries is far lower than here in the US, so it is hardly surprising that medical care costs more here.
Natural herbs have cured so many illness that drugs and injection cant cure. I've seen the great importance of natural herbs and the wonderful work they have done in people's lives. i read people's testimonies online on how they were cured of herpes, hiv, diabetics etc by Dr. Ogba Kosu herbal medicine, so i decided to contact the doctor because i know nature has the power to heal anything. I was diagnosed with hiv for the past 7 years but Dr. Ogba Kuso cured me with his herbs and i referred my aunt and her husband to him immediately because they were both suffering from herpes and they were cured too .I know is hard to believe but am a living testimony. There is no harm trying herbs. He is also a spell caster, he cast spells to restore broken marriages and a good luck spells to prosper and excel in life. Contact Dr. Ogba Kosu on: drogbakosu@gmail.com Phone/Whatsap no: +2348137291215 Facebook page: facebook.com/Dr.OgbaKosucurecenter/
Personal income tax rate in Taiwan? 25% MINIMUM (5% + 20% IBT) to 65%. And that minimum is for people earning less than the equivalent of $17500 US dollars/year. If you're smart and determined enough to earn $150K USD/yr, you're in the 65% range. No "earned income credits" or other handouts to get the bill down to zero (or even a bigger refund than was paid in for many workers) like we have in America. Think about it...if you earn $150K/year, you're paying $97.5K to the government every year! I think I'd rather pay insurance premiums. Doesn't sound so cheap anymore, does it?
Tax rate for Taiwan (in NT$. Exchange rate US$ 1 - NT$ 30)- (also consider deductibles - meaning you can deduct x amount for dependents, etc... so in reality you don't get taxed for your entire annual salary) 0 - 540,000: 5% 540,001 - 1,210,000: 12% 1,210,001 - 2,420,000: 20% 2,420,001 - 4,530,000: 0% 4,530,001 - 10,310,000: 40% 10,310,001 and over: 45%
Load More Replies...Doctors and hospitals want big bucks. The ones that do it to help people volunteer or worn in Doctors without Borders.
*thunderous applause, standing ovations, a single tear rolls down a stranger's cheek*
Load More Replies...Dude, even in America, I had to wait months to see a specialist. (Neurologist) I got my referral on the 3rd of January. My appointment? The 11th of November. This is AFTER already having a CSF leak into my sphenoid sinus that required surgery. It sucks for a lot of places, but just because America doesn't have socialized medicine doesn't mean you can get seen whenever for whatever.
Load More Replies...In Scandinavia you can pick your own physician. No one's forcing a certain physician on you. It'd be nice if people actually did some research before commenting, as a lot of you clearly have no idea what you're talking about
Load More Replies...I heat a lot of complaining, and yet it doesn't seem like you have the slightest idea what you're talking about. I see they have done a great job brainwashing you. Congratulations on being stupid, unfortunately your non-existent insurance won't cover that.
Load More Replies...Someone recently mentioned that perhaps Americans think Universal Healthcare would be very expensive, because they think medicine costs are very high, when in reality prices in the US are very inflated compared to the rest of the world because of the current healthcare system they have.
@Tyler It's not because of the government. It's the private hospitals pumping up prices so they can get as much cash possible from the insurance companies. Pharmaceuticals are also ridiculously expensive, because there is barely any regulation to make sure companies are not charging too much for lifesaving medication.
Load More Replies...I have lived in multiple countries in Europe and Africa, and I also lived in the USA for over 20 years. I have seen many different healthcare systems. The USA has possibly the worst I have ever come across. I am not talking about individual practitioners, like ER nurses and pediatricians. I'm talking about the system. It's horrific. I went seven years without health insurance. I was self-employed and did not qualify for government health insurance. I had severe health problems during that time and had to buy medicine from India because I couldn't afford to do anything in the USA without risking the health and wellbeing of my dependants. I have so many nightmare stories from so many people there. Any country that has a for-profit healthcare system is always going to put money ahead of health. The people who make the profit are never going to support a change in the system.
I live in Sweden. We do NOT pay 70% tac rate to get free healthcare. So maybe check your facts before YOU start accusing "socialist countries " of lying. Also, please pay a tutor to help you with your grammar. In Sweden all schools are free, even up to university levels. English is my second language but I have a better grip on it than you do.
Lol hate when the always get that tax thing totally wrong. Every damn time!!
Load More Replies...There's this picture on the net where an American hospital charges $39.95 for a mother to hold her new born baby. 91517144_m...2233b1.jpg
Healthcare should always be well-serviced and affordable, no matter where you are.
@Tyler Duffy - So not true.. I'm from the UK and we have free healthcare (NHS) and it's mostly fantastic. My sister went through a difficult birth and all the health professionals involved were very good at what they did and she fully recovered. And most importantly.. She didn't have to pay anything. I also know a couple of people who were treated for cancer through the NHS and they are all now cancer free and felt fully supported throughout. Don't know how long this will last for though, the way the UK is going
Load More Replies...I am Swedish and have an American best friend but after years with her I still don´t understand the american system! Yes, us swedes pay a lot of taxes. An insane amount in her eyes. But that means that we don´t have to worry about things like healthcare and schools and other things. I have bad health with a couple of chronic illnesses , MS being the most annoying one. I am on Tysabri every four weeks, which here means I have to spend 3-4 hours at the neurological dayward with IV and frequent checking by nurse and tests. That costs 200 SEK (21.35 USD) for me BUT here it´s a rule that you only need to spend 1100 (117.44 USD) on hospitalcosts PER year - after that amount you get a card saying that you have free healthcare until that year-period runs out. I do not pay extra for the medication on top of hospitalcost- it´s all that one cost since I need to get the medication in IV in hospital. In USA the medication only is 5629 USD. Here medications have another "Max 1100 SEK a year", so
even with my poor health and all the healthcare and medication I need - I only pay 2200 SEK a year
Load More Replies...Here in Finland some people always complain that the taxes are too high. But at least health care is affordable for everyone because every Finnish citizen has a free health insurance. For example last year I had two wisdom teeth removed and it was a slighty more difficult operation than usual so the oral surgeon was needed instead of a regular dentist but the whole operation still cost approximately 200 Euros (including also the X-rays, painkillers and other stuff). I know that in USA some people easily have to pay twice as much just to get one wisdom teeth removed and that only if a normal dentist can do that... If a oral surgeon is needed then it can be ridiculously expensive.
We have had good thing going past decades, haven't we. So glad the "money for the mates" - sote fell down. I hope the next goverment will have some sense
Load More Replies...By the standard of THE REST OF THE WORLD America is a third world area for health care. You are so backwards in just looking after your people, it's laughable. It's still sad and adorable that Americans don't seem to know this.
Can't believe there is so many god damn stupid comments here who, as soon as they heat the word "socialism" fall to the ground in fetal position. You need to educate yourself, do your own thinking instead of believing everything your greedy government wants you to know. You have been brainwashed, and it's painfully obvious
I had a couple of similar experiences in China. The care is basic but good, and if they are not sure they tell you. Ultrasound, Xrays, bloods, consult, drugs to take at home urinalysis all for under $100 USD.
It's so funny to me that it's referred to as a healthcare system in the US. It's not a system, it's a mess!
As an English person with kidney disease, epilepsy, chronic anaemia and chronic neuropathic pain, I can't begin to describe how thankful I am to not live in America with these ailments. Insurance companies wouldn't touch me with a barge pole. I'd be, proverbially, f****d.
I have neurofibromatosis type 2 and my dad has diabetes and kidney disease. We're both covered, so yeah policies would touch you but the sicker you are the more ridiculous the costs. My bills are enormous. I would do anything for the NHS.
Load More Replies...Linda hit the nail on the head...other doctors in other countries don't have to pay for huge medical malpractice insurance. We, as Americans, are sue happy. I have had two friends that are EMT's. They've been dragged into court time and time again because of a patient that is upset that their lives can't resume back to what it was before their medical emergency..so they are looking for a way to blame anyone but themselves. Many of them don't realize that, without those EMT's, they wouldn't be alive to sue ANYONE. It's not just our healthcare system that is messed up. Our court system needs to put a stop to the frivolous lawsuits and government needs to start making and implementing liability laws that protect medical professionals from those sue happy people.
There's too many lawyers that are actually just a mafia. They go hospitals to get new clients to sue the hospital or the doctors. This is just insane.
Load More Replies...I would also commend Qatar. My mother visited me as I was living there. She slipped in the bathroom. With some pain in her rib area we took her to the hospital where she was attended to promptly, had an x-ray which revealed a crack in her ribs. They also did an MRI scan to check for any possible organ or tissue damage. She was sent on her way within a few hours, with a bag of medication. The cost? $0. A big fat zero. I may have paid an insignificant amount for the drugs (I don't recall), but that was all. She had travel insurance, but was not asked for it.
I wonder if the one of third world country is in fact also the Great USA?
Load More Replies...You start questioning the system NOW? The rest of the world has felt sorry for u guys for years now.
Our healthcare system is outrageous, i have a good friend with epilepsy who has to wear a medical alert bracelet saying he is epileptic if he has a seizure do not call 911 because he is still responsible even if some stranger calls 911 trying to be a good samaritan.
I'm glad that once again, American propaganda has been exposed. Politicians there are lying to you that socialism is evil. This is a real example of socialism. They just want to protect their elite status and make sure nothing stops them earning billions of dollars, so of course, they'll lie to you. Half of Americans are complete idiots anyway, so they'll believe what they want to hear without question.
It’s not the kind of socialism that Americans fear (due to anti-communist coldwar propaganda starting in the 50s), but it is a type of socialism. There are plenty examples of socialism that works, all around the world.
Load More Replies...Well the Health Insurance and Big Pharma industries have our politicians by the balls. Until they pass campaign finance laws and also laws prohibiting lobbying. Only then can we see a push for cheaper medical care in this country (USA).
It’s not just they have the government by the balls. They have colonized the government. There’s constantly a revolving door between corporate America and government office, with the most egregious cases being the swamp that Trump has installed in his administration. Privileged rich people who are installed in government departments that they’ve previously indicated wanting to destroy. Wrecking all remaining oversight and regulation from the inside.
Load More Replies...I don't understand why the US doesn't "get it". Here in Belgium, a visit to my GP is about $26 and I get about $23 reimbursed... Prescribed drugs are just the same. I use Ventolin as an asthmatic, without prescription they are about $6.67 without $0.67. Affordable either way. I went to a hospital for a leg scan a few months ago, set me back about $60... People deserve affordable health care in the US, affordable medication and there should be no excuses or what if's about it.... America claims to be so advanced and so much better than many countries which in many cases is true, but when it comes to your medical care, you guys seem stuck in a medieval period.......
I would do anything to live in a country like yours. I am chronically ill and pay through the roof for care, much of the time it's not even GOOD care. A lot of countries require patients to develop symptoms after moving there or marrying a citizen or else I'd be on the next flight.
Load More Replies...USA don't have health care system, they have health business system :)
I pay 320 a month for personal health insurance through my work. I fell down the stairs once and busted my elbow wide open. I waited in the ER for 7 hours to get 5 stitches. My bill, even with insurance was 1200 dollars. FOR 5 STITCHES. I don't have 1200 dollars. I never paid the bill because I can't afford it. Please conservatives, explain to me why this is acceptable. It's ok. I'll sit here and wait.
In the US, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and insurers are run by corporations. The goal of corporations is to maximize profit for shareholders. That's why US residents pay so much and get nothing in return. It's simple economics.
I just got a refill on a medication I take. Since we haven't met our $4,000 deductible for the year a 3 month supply was $1200. That was one of 6 medications I'm on. And another issue was when I was in the hospital I noticed a charge for $300 for Motrin. Thing is I wasn't given any medication the entire time I was in so that's why I noticed it. The U.S. government needs to reign in these pharma companies, it's out of whack.
This article was posted on an American right-wing page and they are all infiltrating and downvoting any post critical of America or saying anything postive about foreign or universal health care. Just ignore the roaches and they will eventually crawl back to their dens.
Load More Replies...I've gone through a couple pretty painful procedures without anesthesia because of the cost.
As an American I am completely pro universal healthcare. I wish our politicians would get on board with it already. It's really sad to see other countries figuring things out and us being left behind. I have had asthma since childhood and need multiple medications throughout the year. I usually make a trip to the ER for an asthma attack every 1-2 years. I have always tried to keep my income below medi-cal income limits (known as medicaid outside of California) in order to have health coverage if I don't have insurance through work. I have turned down jobs because of this. I have worked for cash ("off the books", "under the table") because of this. I have been engaged to my fiance for 11 years because he hasn't had work with insurance or good coverage and our combined income would no longer qualify for medi-cal. We have been seriously considering moving to another country where we could actually afford to live and have healthcare despite our love for our country.
15 years ago my (uninsured) daughter arrived in NYC from LA sick with strep throat. She went to a hospital, got stretomycin (or some equivalent), took a plane to upstate where we live the next day, got a drip to re-hydrate her and maybe some aspirin: $1800. Five years ago my wife slipped on the ice and broke her femur right across the street from a hospital. We are insured but the ambulance backed out of the hospital entrance, drove across the street, picked her up, U-turned back to the hospital--a total distance of 200 feet: $1000 or so. In the US medical care takes care of people making money off of medical care--insurance and drug companies.
I live in the border of Mexico with the US. And many american people come down to Tijuana to look for medical treatment. And yeah, I'm pretty sure some will say "Doctors in Mexico must be bad" just because of the bad reputation of this country. But they're wrong. Just as in ANY country, there are good and bad doctors. Private health care in Mexico is not "cheap", but it is waaaay less expensive than those ridiculous prices in the US. When my dad (american citizen) was taken to the hospital (in the US) in an ambulance... it cost about 1000 dlls!! just to take him to the hospital!! Ridiculous.
In my state in Australia ambulance ride and treatment is free. Also hospital treatment. I might have to wait in Emergency department when other people are more desperately unwell, and that is fair enough. Nurses , lab technicians, orderlies, pay is lousy and conditions are horrible. So there just are not enough of them.
Oh yeah and they suffer horrific abuse from some stinkers in the general public faaar tooooo much. Physical attacks I mean. Who'd keep working there if there is any choice.
Load More Replies...In Argentina is free. You can have anything, and the hospital would cost you $ 0. So the university. You can study anything for free. And is equal if you are argentinian or from another country.
I've been woking for a great european travel/medical insurance, since over a decade. As everywhere in the world, there are good and bad doctors, by the way the US system is a mess it-self, not care-oriented, absolutely profit-oriented. If someone there saw SICKO, i can ensure you all you can see in this movie is real, and still happening) Moreover, usually if you go to a urgent care for a visit as a private you'll pay (for example) 200 USD, as insured the cost grow up to 5/600 USD. The system has a lot of tricks to create a kind of "confort profit area" for doctors, facilities, and others. like the PPO provider, that exist only to renegotiate a lower price. Actually, it's like a shop with a sale 30% off, but in the previous month they increased all prices to 200%...so a false discount.As insurance, we suffer their unbelievable bureaucracy, the delay to receive the invoices it may takes up to 2 years!!!They several times send invoice to both, insurance and client. a real jungle
Here in Italy you don't even pay for it, not in the ER. Everything they do to you even medicine or emergency operation etc are free. Only when they dismiss you with a reciper for medicine (antibiotics etc) they end up costing not more than 3 euro. Bad side, everything like dental care, specialists of any kind are really expensive.. But never like America.
One can only come to the conclusion that Americans are very ignorant.
When I was in Sweden for a year as an exchange student, I got bronchitis. The doctor came to the house to see me, checked me over, and gave me injections of antibiotics and a script for more my house mother filled for me, don’t know the cost, as my parents never got a single bill! It does work, and I’m with Kevin! Redo our healthcare system, and cover everyone. Stop lobbyists from big pharm companies and other places from making it more expensive. And... these same companies have divisions in other countries, but those countries refuse to pay the high prices we are subject to, so, why do we Americans put up with it? Greed.
Over here it wouldn't of cost you that much, just about $12 for the medication and that's it.
We need to get rid of the insurance companies first, which will never happen. Why is it that with insurance, you get charged over 3 grand for an MRI, but if you have no insurance it's $300? Why does my doctor charge $385 for an office visit with insurance, but if you don't have it it costs $90? This right here is the problem. That and the fact that the politicians who have the power to change the system all have top tier insurance that comes with their position. They should have to fend for themselves like millions of us do. Watch how quick our system changes if they put that into effect.
Ive had a similar experience in India. I was in Shimla and had already been suffering with a stomach flu from Chandigar. The mountains in Shimla had just made it worse and so I had to go to the local GP, even though there was just a small room with not much equipment, The Doctor was super friendly, did a full check up on me, gave me medication for a whole week and advice all for 2$!!! Within an hour i was already feeling better, not only is there services amazing but their medication works 10x better!
I became gravely I’ll the day after my sons 2nd birthday. ER hospital 1. Emergency treatment as I was unconscious, blood tests, spinal tap, treated by the countries leading communicable diseases expert who just happened to be there giving a lecture that day. IVs, Drugs, preventative Drugs given to all my kids & close family who I’d been in contact with. Friday October 13th diagnosed with Meningococal Septicemia. Transferred to another hospitals ICU by Care Flight helicopter , full surgical team onboard, 2 weeks in a coma on total life support, Renal failure, Respiritory failure, then a miscarrage with massive hemorrhaging, heart stopped twice. Then 2 weeks recovery. A nurse told me they were doing disaster training when the call came that I was coming in, 36 yr old pregnant mother of 4 with Meningococcal Septicemia, they thought it was a hoax. She told me that it cost $660,000 in Drugs & equipment alone to save my life. Plus $16,000 just for the helicopter,
I agree healthcare sucks in America and I pay almost 1/5 of my gross pay to insurance premiums each month for my family. I kniw we are the country getting screwed with high cost while all others pay less. These are international companies with consolidated financial statements. What would happen if our healthcare does switch to universal health-care and coat get cut in half? Would other countries see an increase in cost? Would people in America loss some jobs? I am all for universal healthcare, but I have questions too.
What I think, it's so very wrong that there's even a possibility to stock exchange speculation about people healthcare, food or other necessities. Here in Finland we have had it good but now there's been pushing towards privatization. And latest was that one of the private sheltered housing for seniors had suspicially high 'death toll' just because the lack of proper care
The only people who defend our insane healthcare system are those that tow party line not currently wrapped up in it. With my neurological condition, I have two insurance plus medicaid, costs are through the roof, and I still get turned away at doctors' offices because "we're not sure if you can pay". My longtime hospital stopped covering both my insurance policies when Trump was elected "just in case" and now I can't see one of the few neurosurgeons in the tristate area who knows wtf he's doing vis-a-vis my rare condition. I have to trek down to NIH. Out of state won't accept medicaid either. Both policies hem and haw about covering procedures I've had biannually for 20 years. MRIs. CTs. Pain management. They just stopped coverage on expensive prescription only eyedrops because "you're too young". I also have ocular tumors and I'm already deaf. People with my exact illness who live in countries with socialized healthcare rave about it. If they need brain surgery they get it ASAP,
they do not have to wait a year, i have no idea where that bull came from. My friend's chemo treatments cost a total of TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS. Mine are 500-1000 each. Healthcare is just a debating point on social media for most, it's life for people like me. And people would like me would do anything for free healthcare.
Load More Replies...I find the fear of "socialized medicine" utterly ridiculous. This is a country where government money goes towards sponsoring sports scholarship and expensive sports programs at universities for people to watch. (Essentially socialized sports). America thinks socialized sports are a good idea but don't think universal healthcare is a good idea. /Yes I know some universities profit from sports programs but many do not and all public universities are built on a framework of public money regardless. Also socialized sports takes revenue away from private sports teams.
I was suffering from herpes for five years, but thanks to god I am cured. I had for some time now noticed having difficulty in pain. Never in my wildest dreams did it cross my mind that I may develop a serious herpes disease. early this year January i purchased herbal remedy from Dr Ajayi, after taking it for 21 days, I was totally reversed within 21 days of usage am so happy to share this great news to everyone and i want to advice anyone suffering from such disease herpes to quickly email Dr Ajayi via ajayiherbalhome@gmail.com you can also call or write him on whatsapp +2348154724883..
hello everyone i wish to share my testimony on how i got cured from herpes few months back, i was looking at symptoms and at the same time looking for help on how to get rid of the virus because i was having frequent outbreaks which was very painful, all thanks to dr harry i came across his post i decided to contact him if he could help, i explained everything to him and he told me that there’s a cure i had no choice than to order the medicine from him, after ordering the medicine it got here in 4 days through fedex delivery, prescription and diet plan was attached to the package which lasted for 2 weeks after i was done he told me to go back and get tested again to see if i was still having the the virus to my greatest surprise the results came back negative after years of suffering from i then realised i wasted money on doctors prescription (acciclovir,lipvir and others) i even changed my diet due to the virus but nothing worked, i'm grateful to dr harry, you can cotact him via email
My niece just told me that in the year she lived in Taiwan she had surgery in her left hand and paid 200.00 for the surgery, hospitalization, follow-up visits, and pain medications. So it can done.
Unfortunately, all our politicians are corrupt sociopaths, so even when the government gets involved, they only make it worse. Their solution was to create Obamacare - which is literally legalized extortion. Since it's been passed, we've been fined every year for not being able to afford their scam insurance. To reiterate - they are fining us for being too poor. That's their solution. They wanted over 12 grand in fees and deductibles *before* their insurance kicks in, and even then it only covers 40%, even on prescriptions. Those are loan shark terms. Until we get rid of insurance companies and lobbyists altogether, it will not change. An MRI without insurance costs $300. With insurance it's $3,500. Even the uninformed can see that is a major problem. We have several successful examples from other countries to model our system after, yet nothing ever changes. Make politicians fend for themselves for healthcare and see how fast it changes. But that will never happen.
80$ American is worth over $2400 in Taiwan. Did anyone bother to look that up?
As a Taiwanese, I really think that National Health Insurance in Taiwan is the most appropriate decision made by the government. From registration, seeing a doctor to picking up medicine, we basically only need to pay $5 to 20 (depending on the hospital type and the prescription). Therefore, it is not a burden for the citizen to see a doctor. ↓ Here's a video of the introduction of National Health Insurance in Taiwan :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIxXcG3b-1k
My theory is that governments have a plan to wipe out part of the world's population that don't have a high level of education. Today I watched a TV documentary about San Francisco where thousands of of homeless live either on the streets or in vans/camping cars. I lived in San Francisco for about 19 years and had never had seen such extreme poverty (1950 to 1970). This do to Google, Twitter, and all these high tech companies. People are forced out of their homes and the rents have gone up to ridiculously high prices. This situation is insane. The American dream never really existed for all and now it's The American nightmare. I feel so sad that a country can't or won't care for the weakest. Trump wants to send men on the moon. Why heaven's name is the use of it??? Wouldn't the money be better used to improve the daily life of the poor in your country?
Here in Switzerland the authorities always follow the USA in sort of manners. The 1st health care insurance I had cost 25._ Swiss Francs, all included, hospital bills, medications, doctor's bills and physiotherapy. Now I pay 657. Suisse francs and this is with out having a private hospital room. I feel very sad for all those who can't pay.
They arent questioning how their neighbors to the North arent paying Anything?
A few of us were in Los Ayala Mexico for a couple months, two of us went to hospital and had the best service , were prescribed meds , all for under $100.00 Canadian
I live on Curacao (small island of the Dutch Carib, aprox 155.000 inhabitants) and like every other legally living person here, I have free health care. Even if you don't have a job or a low income. Doctor, hospital, surgery, everything is covered. Only for medicines we pay $0.50 for each prescription. Even some dentits are covered by health care. No stupid or difficult paperwork, just showing the health care badge with your name, picture and ID nr. is enough.
$80? Too much! $0 in Australia or NZ. Thanks be to God I'm not American
If the cost of educating them wasn't so ridiculously high, the cost of using that knowledge to help people would not be so astronomical. They have huge debt to pay off hopefully before they die. The higher education industry has become the biggest fleece market out there. It's a huge rip off, and the government is in on it... We are currently over 1 trillion in unpaid collage loans as a nation. that is humiliating and embarasing, and just wrong. We need to start at the bottom again, and teach children how to manage money. Everyone needs that... and also coping mechanisms that don't involve food or spending.
Take Big Pharma and their lobbyists out of the equation, prohibit TV advertising of drugs (that are too expensive and not covered), universal healthcare can work in this country, but there's too much money and greed, overregulation and lawyers. I've been an RN for almost 50 yrs, and believe me when I say in 10 years, there will not be enough nurses, or doctors. Ob-Gyn's are going out of practice, due to exorbitant malpractice insurance rates, medical students are not going into Primary Care or Internal Medicine, but opt for the specialities since the pay is higher. The government does have the power and resources to take care of its' people, instead of concentrating on building up a military arsenal, or fighting wars. There's a lot of corruption going on right now.
He paid $2469.32 in Taiwanese Currency. So what is he trying to say? He got in fast an got hooked up with treatment. I have never had a long wait in an ER. One of the problems here in the ERs is people going who do not need to be there. Average visit for ER in the US is $1200 before any medication or procedures. SO... He got an IV and a script. Looks like what he paid was actually pretty standard all things being relative.
Hospital corporations and pharmaceutical companies' motto: "pay me more before you die". U.S. republican lawmakers' motto: "hurry up and die after you pay them more".
We're on the sixth year of my husband's cancer journey. Hospital stays, three rounds of chemo, 33 bouts of radiation, doctor visits every three months or so, dental work (throat cancer, the radiation killed his jaw), etc. In the US, we'd probably be bankrupt by now. Here in Canada, the only thing we've had to pay for is the bus trips to and from the hospital. Got some free cataract surgery coming up for me next month, woohoo! Absolutely no reason why the US can't get with the program surely.
Please watch and act: https://represent.us/unbreaking-america/ We need to change our country!
Compare to Indonesia, USD 80 is still three times more expensive for such treatment.
"im glad to hear the system over in Asia is so good, as well" - this comment perfectly describes how racist the whole world is towards Asia. When you mention Asia, somehow immediately lots of people think of poverty, cheap and bad systems. You look up to Japan, Singapore, but look down to Asia itself. It's ridiculous.
People want to make money off sickness. Imagine if we were treated before we got sick, wellness care.. we’d get less sick, pay less, and we’d all be healthier.
I think it's just awesome to be able to hear the truth from people outside the US. US news doesn't tell everything and unless you want to devote your life to research you'll never know. BIG THANK YOU to everyone sharing their own information on this subject
I'm going through this right now. My boyfriend has been unable to work since November due to 3 hernias. We have to pay $1422 up front out of pocket for the surgery AFTER insurance covered the rest, plus the hospital charged our $250 copay at the pre-op visit yesterday. Without insurance, it would be over $10,000 for the operation. I'm the only one bringing in money and the up front costs have drained my accounts.
In the past two years I have undergone two surgeries for a broken shoulder. Hospitalized for a total of 2 weeks, the Italian healthcare system took care of everything. Surgery and hospitalization costs: 0 USD. 10 sessions of physiotherapy through the healthcare system: 80 USD. I feel very lucky to live in Italy, and I think it's about time the USA found a more human way to treat his sick citizens. A little tax increase is worth the privilege of knowing you won't have to sell your house to care for your elderly parents or your sick spouse.
Yep the Americans living the dream or should I say nightmare if it comes to healthcare and scholing. I'm glad to live in EU for that part...
I cannot fathom how somebody could have their whole life turned upside down with now thousands of dollars of depts for something that wouldn't even be your own fault e.g getting hit by a moving vehicule.
Here in US, we all want to live and not die, and the hospitals found put about it, and they are milking it as disney is milking starwars and marvel
I have no idea how much the staff & surgery & a month in hospital were. I walked out of hospital for a free ambulance ride home owing Nothing, a generous anonymous benefactor paid for the care flight. I’m so glad I live in Australia, if I was in the USA the bill would have crippled me for life. I am actually the 1 million dollar woman.
Having been military and seen those trillions of dollars at work... it's not justified not at all more so compared to heathcare. So much of the military is a joke financially especially with all the low-quality s**t or incompetent bureaucracy.
I wrecked my back last sept. and had heart attack levels of pain, passing out levels of pain. My US Obamacare doctor refused to give me any pain meds. She was sure that a ten day supply of pain med would make a complete, irreversible addict out of me. So no pain meds for Jay. I would have been better off to have someone drive me across the southern border at Progresso to get pain meds from a pharmacy. They sell you the pain meds first, then refer you to a doctor. All of this for a huge monthly insurance bill. I would have been better off without any insurance & just going to Mexico.
People are only questioning the American healthcare system now?? Just because of this one example of other countries’ healthcare systems? A bit late to the party, whoever those people are...
We’ve been questioning it for a long time. This isn’t a new issue.
Load More Replies...Here's what I know: Most of you are going on about how prices are inflated here in the US but there's one thing you are all obviously missing - In countries like China and Taiwan, nurses get paid an average of $2.50 an hour (Source: http://creativenurse.com/nurse-salaries-from-high-to-low-around-the-world/) Would YOU work in the healthcare industry as a nurse for that much pay? Why would you expect a nurse here in the US to work for the same? People really need to stop comparing healthcare prices from around the world assuming that countries like the US should provide the same service for the same price as countries like China, Taiwan, etc - the cost of living in those countries is far lower than here in the US, so it is hardly surprising that medical care costs more here.
Natural herbs have cured so many illness that drugs and injection cant cure. I've seen the great importance of natural herbs and the wonderful work they have done in people's lives. i read people's testimonies online on how they were cured of herpes, hiv, diabetics etc by Dr. Ogba Kosu herbal medicine, so i decided to contact the doctor because i know nature has the power to heal anything. I was diagnosed with hiv for the past 7 years but Dr. Ogba Kuso cured me with his herbs and i referred my aunt and her husband to him immediately because they were both suffering from herpes and they were cured too .I know is hard to believe but am a living testimony. There is no harm trying herbs. He is also a spell caster, he cast spells to restore broken marriages and a good luck spells to prosper and excel in life. Contact Dr. Ogba Kosu on: drogbakosu@gmail.com Phone/Whatsap no: +2348137291215 Facebook page: facebook.com/Dr.OgbaKosucurecenter/
Personal income tax rate in Taiwan? 25% MINIMUM (5% + 20% IBT) to 65%. And that minimum is for people earning less than the equivalent of $17500 US dollars/year. If you're smart and determined enough to earn $150K USD/yr, you're in the 65% range. No "earned income credits" or other handouts to get the bill down to zero (or even a bigger refund than was paid in for many workers) like we have in America. Think about it...if you earn $150K/year, you're paying $97.5K to the government every year! I think I'd rather pay insurance premiums. Doesn't sound so cheap anymore, does it?
Tax rate for Taiwan (in NT$. Exchange rate US$ 1 - NT$ 30)- (also consider deductibles - meaning you can deduct x amount for dependents, etc... so in reality you don't get taxed for your entire annual salary) 0 - 540,000: 5% 540,001 - 1,210,000: 12% 1,210,001 - 2,420,000: 20% 2,420,001 - 4,530,000: 0% 4,530,001 - 10,310,000: 40% 10,310,001 and over: 45%
Load More Replies...Doctors and hospitals want big bucks. The ones that do it to help people volunteer or worn in Doctors without Borders.
*thunderous applause, standing ovations, a single tear rolls down a stranger's cheek*
Load More Replies...Dude, even in America, I had to wait months to see a specialist. (Neurologist) I got my referral on the 3rd of January. My appointment? The 11th of November. This is AFTER already having a CSF leak into my sphenoid sinus that required surgery. It sucks for a lot of places, but just because America doesn't have socialized medicine doesn't mean you can get seen whenever for whatever.
Load More Replies...In Scandinavia you can pick your own physician. No one's forcing a certain physician on you. It'd be nice if people actually did some research before commenting, as a lot of you clearly have no idea what you're talking about
Load More Replies...I heat a lot of complaining, and yet it doesn't seem like you have the slightest idea what you're talking about. I see they have done a great job brainwashing you. Congratulations on being stupid, unfortunately your non-existent insurance won't cover that.
Load More Replies...
337
259