When 25-year-old student Kevin Bozeat got sick while studying in Taiwan, he feared the worst — not just for his health, but for his wallet. In the U.S., an emergency room visit can cost thousands of dollars. But in Taiwan? His entire hospital bill came to just $80 — with no insurance.
“I was seen right away, tested, and treated by kind English-speaking doctors,” Bozeat wrote in his viral Facebook post. “Within hours I felt better — and my total cost was less than dinner for two.”
Bozeat compared this to the U.S., where even insured patients face shocking ER bills. He also pointed out that Taiwan’s national health insurance system is funded by modest taxes — around 4.7% of income — and covers everyone, ensuring no one goes bankrupt over medical care.
“It’s not perfect,” he admitted, “but here, healthcare is a right, not a privilege.”
His story has since inspired millions — and left many Americans wondering: If Taiwan can do it, why can’t we?
