Question for you, Bill...or Tony,...or...

Can someone with cancer or a fatal disease apply for health insurance from a private insurance company AND at the same rate as any other citizen?

It wouldn't be an issue in Taiwan as every citizen is required to have NHI in the first place and the premium is the same for everyone. How would such person fare in your country?

Tony Mads says:

It is interesting that I quite recently have spoke to two gentleman from Germany and one from England and all three said that they felt the US system was better than what they had in their country.

Believe me, they're a mimority. Just last week there was a debate going on on MSN and those in favor of their national health care insurance vastly outnumbered those that agreed with the three gentlemen.

Mind you, I'm not saying the Taiwan's NHI is the best as it isn't. But I do believe it to be a very good system that has saved many from financial ruin. I don't know what the best system is but I am a firm believer that every citizen is entitled to the same health care and service no matter their status or financial well-being. At least no one ever gets turned away from a hospital, even those that may not have NHI. They just end up paying the total fee but as far as I know it hasn't happened.

Taike