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
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Good point regarding cost of healthcare in Korea.
Interesting that South Korea obesity rate among adults is 7.24 percent, while in the U.S. it is 42.74 percent.
John Henegar
Chattanooga
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To me, at least, this is the easiest thing to fix.
Raleigh C. Perry
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I was on tour (musician) in the UK. I had a heart related episode while I was there. My work visa costs covered my taxes and healthcare while I was there. The doctor came to my hotel. Treated me and I was in the mend in no time. UK system is not perfect but they are miles ahead of the U.S. Don’t tell me it can’t be done.
Rebecca DeBord
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My Danish friend, who has had cancer for probably 6-7 years, writes this:
"A guesstimate is that I've eaten pills for around $400.000 since Nov. 23. Add scans and consultations and I'm well over 500K. Still have only paid $15 bus fare whenever I go to Skejby. I could get some free transport but I don't want to drive around in a mini bus full of sick people.”
( Skejby is where the hospital is)
Raleigh Perry
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Ms DeBord, so glad you had a great outcome to your health problem in the UK. And, wow, to be talented enough to perform there. Wonderful.
But obviously you were most fortunate to have apparently a moderate problem that just needed a simple pill or two. Else you would be sent to an ER, and that is where you'd have a different opinion of healthcare in England.
Quote from AI (multiple sources). "In summary: The NHS currently operates with serious and sustained shortages in beds, ER capacity, workforce, and specialized resources, and these pressures are considered critical threats to maintaining safe, effective patient care." Often on BBC.com I read of strikes by the disgruntled NHS docs and nurses. My heart doctor, about eight years ago, had a brother in England who had a most serious heart problem - was near death. Dr K. immediately flew to London, and conjouled the hospital to give his brother life saving care. His comments about the lack of beds, staff, et al, and tears, really shook me up about the claims of the NHS being wonderful.
P.S. Idea for US: subsidize many more nurse practitioners to triage folks and maybe often do whatever your doctor in England did. My trick, when I moved from Chattanooga to Atlanta, was to avoid waiting months to see specialists and ask to see nurse practitioners. In my five cases, I saw the NP in 1-3 days. They are obligated to work with specialists, so I was super confident of the quality of the care.
Robert Dreyer Chattanooga Transplant to Atlanta