Recently I got my finger cut by a rusted nail, so I went to the emergency room for a tenus shot and a blood test. A few weeks later, I received the bill from the hospital. This was about $650. I almost fell to the ground when I saw the bill. $650, that is two weeks salary at minimum wage. Why does it cost so much here for healthcare? What happens if I don't have health insurance and have something really serious? I did some research and found US healthcare system is already in trouble.
Here are some facts about the healthcare system. First, let us look at healthcare cost. Comparing with any other industrialized nations, Americans pay much more to healthcare. In 2001, American spent about 14% of GDP on healthcare, nations like Canada, France and Germany spent just about 10%. Americans also pay a lot more for prescription drugs. That is why state governments want to save money by importing drug from Canada. Second, let us look at health insurance coverage. Most Americans get health insurance through their employers, but employment is no longer a guarantee for health insurance. Due to rising insurance premiums, many small employers cannot afford to offer health insurance. Companies that do offer health insurance often reduce coverage or require employees to contribute a lot more out of their own pocket. In 2003, about 15.6% Americans had no health insurance. The number could reach over 50 million in 2006.
United States is the richest nation in the world, but its healthcare performance is not even in top 30 ranking according to World Health Organization (WHO). To solve the healthcare crisis, politicians up on the hill have to fight a long and nasty battle. So what can you do if you have no health insurance and need a bypass heart surgery? Or could you wait for another two years if you are a Canadian or European who has national health coverage?
I came across a story in Chicago Public Radio about medical tourism. Patients, from Europe and North America, flock to Bumrungrad Hospital in Thailand. They come for big-ticket medical treatments, from heart surgery to plastic surgery, for just a fraction of the cost in their own countries. The hospital is the Mayo clinic in the East with 5 star hotel services at a reasonable price. It is under American led management and approved by US based Joint Commission International Accreditation. The hospital has 200 US board certified physicians. Every year, it serves over 300,000 international patients from more than 150 countries. The American CEO Mr. Schroeder suggested a two-tier healthcare system in the states. Those who can afford stay in the states, the rest can pay a much lower premium to go aboard for high value added medical services.
This two-tier healthcare system might be a cure for US healthcare crisis. I'd like to push this idea further to save social security. The rich can still live in their condos in Florida or Arizona. The rest have another choice. They can take much smaller social security check and live aboard for a few years. They can enjoy the same life style with quality health care at much reasonable costs. They can teach English to the locals in their bible study, and bring American values such as Freedom and Liberty across the world. Hey, President Bush might like to the idea.
