The benefits of social health care outweigh the costs

When my children were under six years of age, we lived in the city of Yokohama in Kanagawa prefecture. All healthcare for them was covered under the national healthcare. I did not have to pay for any of their health checkups or immunizations. Even in emergency situations, the copayment fees were so incredibly minimal, it was as if we didn't have to pay (I recall paying, at times, less than $5). I have not confirmed this news, but have heard the government wants to have free healthcare for all children through elementary school. Nice thought!

Even now, for the THREE of us to have a regular dental exam and cleaning, costs a total of approximately $60.

I can't imagine returning to the United States and losing such great healthcare support. The benefits of social healthcare definitely outweigh the costs of so many people not even having any healthcare at all.

Brooke Yamaki
Japan
Minnesota

Chiropractor visit costs $5

In the US, going to see a chiropractor or doctor would cost a minimum of $25 per visit, but in Japan seeing a chiropractor costs me about 500 yen (approx. $5). Seeing a doctor, well, it depends on if he or she's a specialist or not. But in general these visits are cheaper than the ones I had in the States. Also, the fact that I had a pre-existing condition doesn't seem to affect anything here in Japan.

I'm a little afraid to go back to the US, as I don't have insurance there and, if something happens, things could get complicated. In the US, my family has always had to fight with the insurance company to get coverage on anything more than a co-pay ($25)--and this was the insurance provided by the city. In Japan, there hasn't been any fighting for me thus far, and I can see any doctor I want. I don't have to check to see if he's "on my plan." My family in the US has had trouble getting the medical care they need because the doctor who specializes in such-and-such area doesn't isn't on their insurance plan.

I hope the US will give its citizens and legal residents better health care in the near future.

Amanda
Japan
Texas