Health Care in Korea

I am impressed. First off let me state that there is no perfect health care system. Each system that exists in the world has its strengths and weaknesses. From socialized to entirely privatize. This post has comments on the hospitals that I have seen thus far in Korea. I teach World History, so I am not an expert nor will I ever claim to be. Welcome to the 21st century political atmosphere.

One of the most impressive people I have ever met

His inspiration

The two hospitals that we visited so far are the Woosuk University Hospital that is associated with Woosuk University, in Iksan, which is associated with Won Buddhism and Jesus Hospital in Jeonju. All hospitals are non-profit, by law. In both cases the people that led us around were doctors who had excellent English which was invaluable in the questions and answer parts of the tour. At Woosuk University Hospital two young doctors toured us around their facility. At Jesus Hospital, founded by Presbyterian Missionaries in the late 1800’s, the head doctor and administrator of the hospital led us around.

They each answered questions openly and honestly. Both were extremely proud of their country’s health care system, their profession, and their respective hospitals. They both were shocked at the cost of health care and seemed baffled by the lack of uniform policy and insurance. Let me be clear here. I am in no way an expert. Two people, technically three people from our GSE team work in the health care industry. They work in the areas of marketing, an artificial joint manufacturer, and health insurance auditor. I defer to them completely in matters of health care policy and the inner workings of hospitals.

I watched in amazement at the ease of the Q and Q between my team members and their “counterparts” in Korea.

Here is what this World History teacher thought of the two hospital visits. I was impressed. The coasts seemed ridiculously lower. The mere fact that you knew costs on the front end was impressive. The paying of the bill was so streamlined that patients could go to electronic kiosks (money machine looking things) in the lobby and pays their bill via cash, credit, or debit card. Korea is joining countries like Singapore, India, and Malaysia in the area of “medical tourism”. That means that it is cheaper for an American to travel to Korea first class, stay in five star hotels, receive treatment, and pay cash than it would be to receive health care in the United States. Now both Doctors foresee a shift to for profit hospitals.

On a non public policy note, the head doctor at Jesus Hospital was easily one of the most impressive people I have ever met. He is a dedicated professional who has spent many years overseas on long term medical missionary work. He worked on the Rwandan boarder during the height of the civil war in the country (Think the real life story of the Hotel Rwanda). He worked with hundreds of thousands of children who suffered from Cholera due to unsanitary caused by the brutal violence I the country. He stated that his hospital is committed to medical mission work because so many countries helped Korea when it was one of poorest countries in the world after its own civil war in the 1950’s.

Last observation. The progress made in this country in the last 60 years is amazing. It has gone from one of the poorest countries in the world to one of the leading economic powers in the world.

Interesting link to an editorial story about Korea's rise

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/oct/04/south-koreas-transformation-awe-inspiring-wonder/