I wake up to a NY Times article on Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. I’d like to share my perspective as a consumer based on my experience in the USA, South Korea, Turkey, Mexico, Spain, China and South Africa.
USA:
Growing up poor, my family didn’t have medical insurance. No annual check-ups.
I got a degree and worked for a multi-national corporate. It provided comprehensive healthcare for $25 per month, with co-pay of $50 per visit. I was young, healthy and naive. Or, I trusted medical professionals to act on my best interest. I was wrong. Some took advantage, recommended and performed procedures that were totally unnecessary and value-eroding. Over eight years of top coverage, I saw a medical doctor once. All other times, I saw Registered Nurses (RN).
After post-grad, not yet with a job, I had no medical insurance. To see doctors without appointment cost $150 per visit. Another $100 for prescription medicine for something simple.
Life was unpredictable. Everything took longer. On average, I waited 6 hours. I couldn’t get an appointment. The COBRA coverage was expensive ($300 per month providing emergency coverage only). There was no public exchange for me to compare and choose a medical coverage right for me.
It’s surprising to hear positive perception of the American healthcare. Sure, for those with cash to burn, it sure is. For all else, not so much. A friend still works for the same multi-national corporate. He tells me the coverage has eroded and it costs him ten times more. When I hear countries like South Korea wanting to mimic the American system, a cold chill runs through my body. South Korea has an excellent and affordable medical ecosystem. While at work, I had to get emergency dental work over five visits. It costs me all of $100.
South Africa
Access to private doctors? $30 – 60 without insurance. They treat me like a human being. They don’t just see the dollar sign above my head. Registered Nurses do not exist.
$380 for comprehensive coverage: mental, physical, dental, emergency and up to $100,000 while traveling. There are at least viable 5 options here. Most all provide benefits like % off hotel, rental car, flights and consumer goods. The medical rates are set and adhered to.
Comparing the private care between USA to South Africa? On a scale of 1 to 10?
South Africa – 8
USA – 5
Healthcare value for money in the USA? Questionable.
Emergence of Urgent Cares is a symptom of a bigger and systematic issue. How can they provide us with cost-effective care without understanding our medical history? What is normal to me may be a serious issue to someone else. Instead of understanding and treating root causes, we’re given heavy doses of antibiotics that kills everything. No wonder we’re building up resistance to antibiotics.
Affordable Care Act would make medical services available to the masses. It is under serious threat, under the guise of unnecessary and costly social welfare.
It’s not.
The shortsighted and money-mongering culture has spread into the medical practice like cancer.
When will we take the first step to repair and rebuild America? When will we put America first?
To take care of our greatest assets, our people.