Sick Around The World: Documentary Analysis

PBS Sick Around America and Sick Around the World Reflection on Health Care Finance This documentary shows the inherent disparities of healthcare in US. Though we are generally thought to be a nation based upon equality, when it comes to the economics of being healthy and maintaining health, certain segments of the population get relegated to the gutter. The World Health Organization decrees that health is a universal right of every human. (WHO, 2015) Though health can arguably be considered necessary for the full consignment of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, portions of society are left battling daily to have enough funds to even have a roof over their heads or food on the table, let alone healthy food and appropriate healthcare. Economists argue that the health of the nation is in fact dependent upon the health of its constituents, and without the latter the former will also be unhealthy. (Frenk, 2004)
Financed Delivery and Access to Health Care
Uninsured people have a tendency to avoid incurring costs related to healthcare compared to individuals
My first child was born in Hong Kong, prior to the handback in 1997. We lived on an outer island, which was quite distant and time consuming to get to the main island. The clinicians were concerned that it would be too difficult and time constrained for her to journey in whilst in labor. As such, my wife was placed in a ward for at least one week. Additionally, my daughter ended up spending a night in the NICU just as a precaution out of some mild concerns. All antenatal and postnatal care was included in the total bill for my daughter which came to $50 USD out of pocket. Amazing, when in comparison, my sons who were born in the US with superb insurance cost several thousand dollars out of my pocket. The care was exceptional in Hong Kong, and the physicians were mostly western educated. So why such a large cost