No more small gestures like yesterday. Let's look at some big system.
One of my Korean students recently returned from a trip home and told me she had a thorough physical checkup while in Korea. According to her, Korea has the best healthcare system in the world. Plus preventive care like this is free.
Curious, I asked another Korean student for her thoughts, and she agreed, offering more details.
South Korea’s healthcare system is known for its advanced technology and high-quality services. It operates under the National Health Insurance (NHI) program, which covers the entire population, ensuring widespread access to care.
Despite its cutting-edge technology, healthcare in Korea remains surprisingly affordable, especially when compared to countries like the U.S. Routine physical checkups are free for Korean citizens.
My student highlighted a few key differences between the healthcare systems in Korea and America. First, the cost. In the U.S., you often don’t know how much your medical treatment will cost until you receive the bill, which can be quite shocking.
In contrast, Korean healthcare costs are regulated by the government under the NHI system, with prices for medical services and medications negotiated and well-controlled to keep them affordable.
Korea has also become a top destination for medical tourism, attracting patients from around the world, particularly for cosmetic surgery, due to its affordability and advanced procedures.
Second, my student pointed out the efficiency of the system. In Korea, healthcare is streamlined—everything you need for a full physical can be done in one place and within a few hours. It's called one-stop healthcare.
By contrast, in the U.S., you might need separate appointments for your heart, eyes, dental work, mammogram, and other health needs. Each one requires a different location, and appointments often need to be made well in advance. The thought of scheduling and driving to all these different places is exhausting.
I told my student that I experience the same thing in China. Every time I go back, I get all my checkups done there for the same reasons—it's efficient, affordable, and hassle-free.
In both Korea and China, the focus on affordable preventive healthcare is to promote long-term well-being for all. Their healthcare systems emphasize early detection and cost and time efficiency, demonstrating the belief that prevention works better and more efficient than cure. The role of government in regulating healthcare costs ensures that quality care is accessible to all, regardless of income.
Many Americans may not realize just how different healthcare can be until they step outside their own system. We won’t know the difference until we go beyond our own confinement and see how other countries prioritize access, affordability, and the well-being of their citizens.