ridiculous. I am an expat teaching at a university in Taiwan, my wife's country, and I enjoy the full benefits of a national health plan.

Taiwan's national health care plan is excellent. It is inexpensive and comprehensive. You can go to the doctor, clinic or hospital of your choice and pay only an application fee for each visit (usually about  $150.00 to three collars).  Here doctors and hospitals can dispense medicine and it is included in the plan up to a limit of about $20.00 which usually covers the cost (medicine in general is considerably cheaper here unless imported); above that amount the cost is nominal. Children have special plans that are virtually free. Hospitals have long waiting times, but you can go to private practices or small clinics where the  waiting time is minimal. And I waited just  as long in San Francisco for our companies hospital plan. Regular dental work is the same, free for regular work like fillings and extractions, but you have to pay for caps and dentures and such. And doctors are western trained and excellent.

Why cannot the U.S. have what this small, energized country has is beyond me.

Noel