One of the often-overlooked benefits of living abroad is the ability to view your own country from the outside in. That shift in perspective can be jarring - especially when you realize that another country may outperform your own when it comes to public policy, social norms, or access to basic services.
Take healthcare. After spending 10 years teaching in East Asia, I can say without hesitation that I would take my experience with South Korea’s healthcare system over what we currently have in the United States,language barrier and all.
Yes, South Korea is a relatively small and culturally homogenous nation of about 52 million people. And while global interest in Korean pop culture has surged thanks to K-pop and K-dramas, most Americans still know little about how the country actually functions. But having lived and worked there as a legally registered foreigner, I experienced first-hand what their system offers and it was impressive.
On a legal work visa, I was entitled to the same public benefits as Korean citizens. Roughly 10 percent of my paycheck covered government tax, national pension, and health insurance. Any job requiring 15 or more hours per week legally obligated the employer to contribute to national health coverage. Employers were also required to pay yearly severance equivalent to one extra month’s salary.
My monthly cost for healthcare was around $65. That, combined with my employer’s matching contribution, gave me full access to national coverage. Over the years, I dealt with a year-long chronic illness, a broken finger, a painful wisdom tooth, and regular checkups. I never once went into debt. Even when communication was a challenge, the care was consistent, professional, and affordable.
Some Americans will quickly label this “socialized medicine.” I understand that view. But I also take seriously the promise embedded in the phrase “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” For years, U.S. taxpayers have seen their dollars diverted to causes that don’t directly improve our collective well-being. So it’s fair to ask: Why not expect more?
I’m not suggesting a one-size-fits-all system. I understand the American skepticism toward centralized healthcare. But there are ways to create a public option that works alongside private choices, not in opposition to them. In Thailand, for example, individuals can purchase insurance from banks or post offices. There’s flexibility, and it works.
Every election cycle, healthcare returns to center stage, only to fade into legislative gridlock. Maybe it’s time we took a serious look at what’s working in other countries. We don’t have to reinvent the wheel. We just need the political will, and the public imagination, to build a system that puts people first.
I’ve lived it. I’ve seen it work. And I know the United States could do better: it should.
Joshua Card