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 [email protected].

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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