Taiwan's single payer system. 6% of GDP versus the USA's 18% mess.

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"“In Taiwan, we have no waiting lists,” says Hou.“In Taiwan, the doctor works on Saturday. They operate on Saturday afternoon.” Moreover, the government does not tell its citizens where they must go for care, he said. Sophisticated information technology is a part of the health system. Each resident of the country carries a “smart card” to entitles them to health care.

“With the smart card you can go to any clinic at any time without an appointment,” Hou said. And there is no “gatekeeper” denying access to specialists, a frequent complaint among Americans about U.S. managed care companies.

This freedom of choice helps improve quality because providers must compete to attract patients, Hou says.

The smart card also contributes to the quality and efficiency of the system by giving doctors a medical profile of the patient and by automating payment. When a provider swipes the card, the patient’s medical history and medications show up on the computer screen and the government is billed for the provider’s services. "

CQ