If I was in the U.S. I probably wouldn't even bother going to the doctor. Why? Because the doctor's appointment would have cost $80 (80,000 won) and the prescription medication would have cost $40 (40,000) for a grand total of $120. Just for a little sty. How much did I pay in Korea? $2.50 (2,500 won) for the doctor's appointment and $2.00 (2,000) for the medicine. lol (Sometimes I really love this country.) =)
One of my friends had a root canal done in Korea. It cost him a total of $10. In the U.S. his dentist said it would cost $1,500 (1.5 million won). lol
Most Americans have never lived with universal/national health care. So, they have no idea what they're missing or how they're being ripped off.
In the U.S., opponents of national health care will argue the following:
1. Taxes will be sky high. Taxes are already sky high in the U.S. Korea has one of the lowest tax rates in the world. The average is 17% in Korea. It's 31% in the U.S. Canada is famous for their national health care. How much do Canadians pay in tax? 31.7% I'm willing to pay the extra 0.7% for universal health.
2. The health facilities and hospitals will be terrible. Based on my experience here, Korea has some of the nicest hospitals I've ever seen. In addition, there are doctors everywhere. There are 7 doctor's offices within 100 meters of my apartment and over a dozen pharmacies. I guess the doctors and pharmacists must be broke.
Here are my arguments for national health care:
1. I like not having to make a choice between my health or my wallet. Most Americans do not go to the doctor when they're sick or for an annual check-up. Why? Because it's too damn expensive.
2. "America is the only wealthy industrialized nation that does not have a universal health care system."
Here are the top 15 countries ranked by GDP:
| 1 |  United States | 13,843,825 (Doesn't care about the health of citizens.) |
| 2 |  Japan | 4,383,762 |
| 3 |  Germany | 3,322,147 |
| 4 |  China (PRC) | 3,250,827 |
| 5 |  United Kingdom | 2,772,570 |
| 6 |  France | 2,560,255 |
| 7 |  Italy | 2,104,666 |
| 8 |  Spain | 1,438,959 |
| 9 |  Canada | 1,432,140 |
| 10 |  Brazil | 1,313,590 |
| 11 |  Russia | 1,289,582 |
| 12 |  India | 1,098,945 |
| 13 |  South Korea | 957,053 |
| 14 |  Australia | 908,826 |
| 15 |  Mexico | 893,365 |
That's right. The U.S. is the only country without universal health care.
3. There are 49 million Americans that do not have any health insurance. The U.S. attitude is: "Let's just let them get sick and die if they can't pay."
4. Current estimates put U.S. health care spending at approximately 15% of GDP, the highest in the world. It's $140 to take care of my sty. Of course it's the highest in the world! We don't have national health care, but we already pay more for health services than any other country in the world?
Americans have been brain-washed to believe that universal health is a step toward socialism. Take a good look at the list of the top 15 countries ranked by GDP. You think Japan is not a capitalist country? Ever seen a Lexus, Toyota, or Honda? Ever use a Playstation or Nintendo Wii? London is the world's financial hub.
My Korean students reading this will probably think Americans are insane for paying such high costs for medical treatment. I agree.
Here's a funny satirical news video on American health care. (Credit goes to Mike):Study: Most Children Strongly Opposed To Children�s Healthcare
7 comments:
Well written and very true. I think that the extra costs from not getting healthcare are huge. People get more and more sick and then the costs add up. It is truly disgusting. Hilary couldn't do it as first lady, and it was viewed as a failure. The health care industry(lobby) is very strong and Americans hate the scent of socialism.
Ohh, canada.
Sicko was overdone but had some good points.
I agree with you based on the arguments you have cited, however there are some arguments you have not addressed that I have not been able to find and proponent of UHC address. First, an argument against one of the arguments you did make. Would our taxes skyrocket from where they are now? YES. You cannot compare our current tax rates to other countries. Why? #1-the US population is much larger than any other country mentioned so it would cost exponentially more just to create the infrastructure for UHC. #2-The military budget of the US is vastly larger as % of GDP than any other country. Let's see, Korea was mentioned--we still support their national defense with our military. Japan--ditto. Great Britain--ditto. Do you propose we pull our military support from other countries to pay for UHC? How would their tax rates compare if they had to provide for 100% of their own national defense without US support? I have heard some argue that we need to take care of our own citizens before we defend the world. I can't disagree with that statement on the surface, but on deeper digging, there are issues with it. In a Utopian world, we could do both, but it will cost alot in taxes. You cannot compare tax rates in other countries as it is comparing apples to oranges.
In my mind, a more doable solution is a complete overhaul and tighter regulation of the health insurance industry, not a government takeover.
I couldn't agree with you more. I highly suggest "Frontline: Sick Around The World," if you haven't seen it already. It is a PBS documentary comparing the US healthcare systems and policies to those of worldwide neighbors. Absolutely amazing what money, greed, and the proper brainwashing can do to the american public...reminds me of the Bush re-election (in my opinion).
As far as your Sty goes, I work for a healthcare provider therefore I am fully "covered" with their services, and I STILL have to pay more than you do. I recently had to schedule an appointment with a dermatologist for a reoccurring rash on my forehead, which cost me $5.00 for the office visit, and $5.00 for the facial cream through the pharmacy. Additionally, if I were paying for my own healthcare (with Kaiser) as a non-employee, my standard coverage would roughly be $165.00 per month.
As our current system stands, I'm paying around $150 a month ($2,500 deductible). I wonder what I'll be paying in 10 years... lol
Hi, this is Young.
I was very curious about the USA health care system after i saw "sicko."
I thought that that movie can a kind exaggerats.
But it must be true.
Usually the USA's policy places first than Korea, but i'm sure our health care system is much better.
I don't agree with martygrn. It is ture the population of the U.S is lager than other countries. So it will cost more. But your government can get more money because of the large population. So What andy said is more reasonable. We should consider the ratio between GDP and the cost of UHC.
If the U.S. had the same UHC as Korea, the doctors who are in the U.S could be busier than it was because they might have to take care of more patients. I think that is the reason why the doctors in America have more free time than the doctors in Korea.(I've watched "House" on FOX.)
I hung out with my friends who are medical students yesterday.(^^ I'm Korean) They don't have enough time to enjoy their life because they have to support doctors in their hospital for learning what they do. My friends always say they envy american doctors. Although I was so sorry to hear that, I don't want to pay $1,500 to have a root canal done.
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