In the early 1990s, the government of Taiwan decided to try an experiment. In just nine months, they completely revolutionized their health care system, covering every Taiwanese citizen through a single-payer program. It’s a system that looks very similar to the Medicare-for-all proposals from presidential candidates like Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.
Vox health care reporter Dylan Scott went to Taiwan to investigate how its single-payer system is working and what the United States can learn from it. He interviewed patients, doctors, government officials, and a researcher with a charming love story. Dylan learned that while the people of Taiwan love their version of Medicare-for-all — a program that has significantly improved Taiwan’s health outcomes — the entire system could go bankrupt, soon.
We always want to hear from you! Please send comments and questions to impact@vox.com.
Further listening and reading:
- Dylan's deep dive on Taiwan's health care system
- Uwe Reinhardt’s last book, Priced Out: The Economic and Ethical Costs of American Healthcare
- Tsung-Mei (May) Cheng wrote a Wall Street Journal opinion piece making the case for a public option
- Dylan’s piece on the three kinds of health care plan floated by the Democratic candidates
- Vox’s guide to where 2020 candidates stand on policy
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Host:
Jillian Weinberger, @jbweinz
About Vox:
Vox is a news network that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines.
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