I never cease to be amazed at how expensive health care is in America. There is no reason for health care to be expensive and out-of-reach of millions of Americans.
Listening to the debates about health care in America, and why it has become a major issue in the upcoming 2020 presidential and congressional elections — because too many Americans are going broke paying the high cost of health care — I decided to share a personal experience of affordable health care in Hong Kong.
As a Hong Kong permanent resident, even though I am an American citizen, I qualify for very affordable public health care. A very healthy reason to live in Hong Kong, notwithstanding the current street protests.
Earlier today I had a physical checkup for a sore knee that has been bothering me for a while. The check-up cost me US$6!
I had to make an appointment by phone, which I did at 9am this morning, got an 11.30am appointment — two and a half hours later!
When I arrived for the check-up I waited 45 minutes to see the doctor.
My X-Ray appointment is scheduled for tomorrow, or any other convenient day.
The pain pills I received, 56 Paracetamol 500MG tablets, 21 Ibuprofen 200MG tablets and 21 Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Simethicone tablets — are included in the $5 consultation fee. That’s right! The pills are free!
The doctors in Hong Kong are world-class. They have been educated and trained in Hong Kong, U.S., Europe and Australasia.
Hong Kong health care, like health care in Taiwan and many countries in Europe and Canada, is easily accessible and affordable to all permanent residents and citizens.
I am at a loss as to why health care for all in America is still such a highly politicized and expensive debate. Actually, I’m not. The Medical Industry Complex lobbyists in Washington D.C., have bought off career politicians who put their re-election funding ahead of the health care of their constituents.
It is time America takes care of the health of its citizens and permanent residents.
America First, must start with taking care of Americans physical and mental health — Care for All!
If most of the civilized and developed world can provide affordable health care for all, there is no reason America can’t — except compromised and bought-off political will.
America will be much better-off if it spends a hefty slice of America’s defense budget — spent on killing people, healing people.
The time is long overdue to make health care for all affordable in America!