I'm over 70, so my costs are 10% of the total...

As a long-term American resident of Japan, I cannot praise the national health care system too highly. Though I have had the usual experiences of long waits and inexperienced young doctors at a large public hospital in Tokyo, the quality of care and inexpensive medicine and services I now receive is exemplary. At 71, I have the expected range of geriatric problems—osteo-arthritis in feet and hands, cranky knees, cataracts, prostate hyperplasia— plus Hepatitis C. Only the latter can be life threatening. The local public hospital in the small rural own where I live was limited in its ability (read unable) to treat the Hep C. After a nasty fall that injured a shoulder rotator cuff for which the local hospital rehab person was not able to cope, I was recommended to a private clinic in the next prefecture. The doctor there practices both Western and Oriental medicine, and he cured a friend's chronic lung condition almost overnight. His clinic is covered by the national health care. His intelligent and careful regimen for the Hep C has brought the viral count down almost to the point of defeating it, and that may still happen. Acupuncture is also available there under the health care system; this helps the arthritic pain greatly and probably slows the progress of the disease. The acupuncture also treated the pain and helped effect the use of the injured shoulder.

The rambling, anecdotal comment is to illustrate that one is able choose one's doctor in Japan and that the quality of medical treatment, if carefully chosen, can be excellent. Also, since I am over 70, my medical and medicine costs are only 10 percent, repeat 10 percent, of the total cost. For example, recently a CT scan cost me only ¥2,000 (roughly US$18). This quality of medical treatment and the low cost under the national health care system is one of the major reasons why I feel that a return to the US would be a disaster for me medically. I could not expect to find a doctor with the same intelligent application of two medical traditions and certainly could not afford the increasing cost of treatment, etc. as my body ages.

Kim Schuefftan
Gumma, Japan

Today's visit to the doctor...in Japan

National Health Care--no reservations required

My experiences here in Japan are the same. Dental care is also included, which is an issue that also needs to be addressed in the U.S., where dental care is separate for some reason.

There are no reservations needed - just walk into any clinic near you. They are almost all private - not run by the government. So you have complete choice.

When I had bronchitis recently, I just asked a neighbor which doctor she recommended and walked right over.

Doug Lerner
Tokyo

My coverage is more comprehensive and more transparent...

I also use the Japanese Universal Health Care system and love it. It's easy to use, I can go to any hospital/clinic I want (most are private), and it actually costs me less than what my friends pay in the US. Yet my coverage is more comprehensive, more transparent, and for the most part stress free. I also put my employees on it. It takes about 30 minutes to enroll them and then I never worry about it again. All I need to do is make sure there's enough $ to pay each month. It's dead easy.

Posted on YouTube by mikestky1

The costs of health care are a fraction of what one pays in the US...

Even for those not on the Japanese National Health Care plan, the costs of health care in Japan are a fraction of what one pays in the US. One has to wonder why.

Costs for universal healthcare will, no doubt, rise here in Japan as the population rapidly ages. However, the system is still fair, equitable, and efficient.

I do hope things get straightened out in the US!

Posted on YouTube by Tokyopairodice

It's nice to kow I've got nothing to worry about...

I'm also a teacher on the JET Prgoram, but I was previously an exchange student here, and I've always had national health care. It's nice to know I've got nothing to worry about. I had to get a root canal, and it was a bit scary, not only the prospect of the operation, but having to consult with the dentist in my second language. But when it was over, I handed them my national health care card, and I only had to pay 30%. So it's not even totally free, but it goes a long way.

Posted on YouTube by stovelkor

When I turned 23, I lost all military dependent priveleges...

I teach English on the JET Program in Japan. Growing up, my father was in the American Air Force, so I had free access to health care. When I turned 23, I lost all military dependent privileges, and was forced to buy private health insurance. It was a total waste of money, and I suddenly had to fear getting sick because of the financial burden, not just the disease. That is one of the main reasons why I came to Japan: their government seems to care more about my health than mine does.

Posted on YouTube by bschlabs

considering the life expectancy of the Japanese, the system works...

My family and I also have had great experiences with Japanese health care. It is great to just be able to just zip over to the doctor when you need to. Most doctors are open on Saturday too. Even if one has to make an appointment- say for a dental cleaning or a mammogram- the wait is minimal- a week or so. Considering the life expectancy of the Japanese- women especially- one can see that this system works.

Posted on YouTube by mitsugojp3

Every experience with the national health care system has blown me away...

I have only lived in Japan for 4 years, but every experience with the national health system has blown me away. So many great interactions. I had some chronic ear pain, so I just looked up the nearest private specialist in my area, walked into his small practice without calling ahead, and was seen within 15 minutes. Total cost was less than $30. Another time I had a urinalysis and time discussing results with the doctor, no drugs needed, so just: $2 TWO DOLLARS.

Posted on YouTube by delackner

Americans are worried about choice. In Japan, there IS choice...

I dont know a single Japanese person who would prefer the US system.

There was a time when I fell through the cracks in Japan and had to pay full price, and even then it was way cheaper than in the US.

Americans are worried about choice. In Japan there are many hospitals to choose from, and some are better for certain specialties than others. There IS choice.

Also, there are supplemental private insurance plans to take up any slack in the nat'l system.

Many people in the US have no choice!

One more thing: even if people fear the system will run in the red, so what? It's a worthy thing to spend money on. The fire department runs in the red but it serves an important purpose.

In Japan highways are expensive to use (tolls) and hospitals are cheap. In America it's the opposite. We will spend taxes for free roads but not for health care. Shows where the priorities are.

YouTube post by kirkdunkirk