Dear FRONTLINE,

Although your piece was interesting I found it biased, and some major issues were not addressed. The American System provides much of the innovative medical procedures currently used around the world, as well as the research and development of most of the drugs on the market. Other countries either copy what we have developed or negotiate with our drug companies for the best deals without having to pay for research and development. We also have millions of illegal immigrants who use our hospital emergency rooms which drive up everyone's costs. I noticed that several of the countries you mentioned in your piece require citizens to buy health insurance. How could that work here where so much health care is given away to those who either cannot or will not buy insurance? It would be so much easier if WE could develop a health care system where some other country developed the new innovative procedures and researched and developed new drugs and all we needed to do was use what they had already paid for. How nice would that be?

Mary Turino
Ishpeming, Michigan

Dear FRONTLINE,

While the program was interesting it was obvious where the reporters bias was, universal or socialized health care. I'm sure he wouldn't have had a problem finding an expert that could tell equally interesting facts about how the U.S. health system is better than those shown. Also, hearing "and we don't pay anything for it" was totally laughable! You think money grows on trees people! It comes from you, the overtaxed worker. I've heard how much some of these people pay for this "free" insurance and its much more than I pay now. Oh, and then theres supplemental insurance for those who want a nicer room and so on, which is code for "treated like you get in the U.S." Surely we don't have healthcare nirvana but its much better here by far than the propaganda piece this show was. One step in the right direction would be tort reform as mentioned by another poster. We're so sue happy here with huge jackpots that it drives costs through the roof. PBS next time leave your agenda home and produce a show that truly exposes the good and the bad of all systems so we can make an informed decision.

sioux falls, sd

Dear FRONTLINE,

The program was informative, but my heart sunk to hear that such a wealthy nation as the U.S. cares so little for its citizens unless they can make tangible contributions to the economy. We are stuck with a Puritan mentality that says the fittest will survive and the rest will die out as if the weakest don't deserve the same basic rights (equating strength with wealth, of course, which is what we do)as those most fit. Universal health care is a basic human right deserved by all of a country's citizens. We can learn a lot from countries like Japan and Switzerland. It's time for us to come off the high horse before it teeters over.

Mary Lammert
Wilmington, DE

Dear FRONTLINE,

Thank you for the thoughtful and intriguing review of the healthcare economic differences across the globe. I was taken aback at the differences in the manners in which healthcare is paid for. Being a medical student about to graduate, my greatest concern is that I would not be able to pay back my hefty loans which total well over $150,000. Because of this I depend upon a higher salary after completion of training to pay this off. If the American government paid for or provided medical education free of charge for students, I would be able to tolerate a lower pay scale for physicians without the threat of defaulting hanging over my head. Although I agree physicians' salaries for certain specialties and subspecialties are excessive, there are details that must be taken into account to further explore the ramifications of copying or implementing the healthcare economic regimens of the nations explored in this report.

Dayton, OH

Dear FRONTLINE,

I am an immigrant from Taiwan.In Taiwan,the system is designed with an paying scale.The more you make, the more premium you pay for insurance.There is a cap for premium if you make under certain amount of money or the family size exceed the number.In that system, no one is left out.I was really shock to find out that my individual health insurance doesn't cover maternity when I found out I was pregnant. So I have to pay almost $10,000 for having a child.And luckily, it was normal, health birth. It would have cost more if anything unexpected happened.I felt punished for being pregnant.It is unheard of in Taiwan.In Taiwan, you can go see any doctor, any specialist, dentist,chinese medicine for basic care including prenatal care.All you have to do is pay NT100 copay each time, equal to 3 US dollars.And there is no waiting period.You can see any doctors any time.You don't even need an appointment.I feel really sad about the US system when I, as a self-employed, needs to pay over $300 for me and my baby, while I only make around 2000 dollars a month as a young acupuncturist.And my husband's employer doesn't have coverage for the dependents.I had a dream when I came to US. But when I am still struggling paying my bills for my delivery, I really feel sad.

Mavis Wang
Denver, Colorado

Dear FRONTLINE,

In the past 3 years, I have seen the cost of my employer sponsored health plan rise 35% and my copayments go from 5 dollars a visit to 25. Moreover, I now have a $1000 a year deductable for each family member. I'm getting less care each year for more money.

My daughter was born in Germany. I've seen universal health care in action. I recieved excellent care and never had a delay in treatment. I will say, I did have to bring my own towels to the hospital, but this was a small inconvenience compared to the treatment she and I received.

I'm sick that we have fought so long against this universal right. It's not a priveledge to know that if you are sick, you can seek treatment without having to choose between it and feeding your family for the week, month or year.

Ellen Lincourt
Worcester, MA

Dear FRONTLINE,

I am a healthcare provider in South Carolina. After watching this program, I was left with several unanswered questions when it comes to reform in the US. 1. As a recent graduate, I have come to realize that while I was studying and working to earn my degree, my peers were already in the working world... making money. So, not only am I eight years behind my peers, I have also accrued a very large amount of student loan debt. I have done all of this in the hopes of helping people. But, it seems that everywhere I turn doctors are being made out as money hungry, when this is not the case for the majority. Consequently, I contend that unless education is paid for, there will likely be a shortage of qualified doctors in the future if we continue this move to socialized medicine. What could be done to prevent this?2. How can the government regulate the cost of services across this vast country? As a patient in Greenville, South Carolina, if I pay the same amount for services as the patient in Melrose, CA I am at a distinct disadvatage when it comes to income and cost of living. Additionally, the cost of running a clinic varies dramatically across the country (rent, utilities, taxes, etc.) and the cost of healthcare reflects that for a reason.3. Why did you not discuss taxes and education in each of these systems? Also, the size of the country in question... how many people is the government expected to support?4. Why was the fact that 50% of hospitals were in financial peril glossed over?!?!?!?! If hospitals can't stay open, then no one will have healthcare regardless of coverage!!! 4. Finally, the US healthcare system, even with all of it's flaws, is still a wonderful system. I have worked in two hospitals, one in Atlanta, GA and one in Cincinnati, OH. I have never seen anyone turned away because of an inability to pay. The majority of healthcare workers are just trying to earn a living and make the world a better place. So, I respecfully ask that you look critically at all of the options in your report and realistically evaluate the applicability to the US. I think you will find that it's not as simple as you imply.

Greenville, SC

FRONTLINE's editors respond:

The companion Web site for this report offers much more information on the five countries. The issue of 50% of hospitals in Japan facing financial deficit was briefly addressed in the program. It was noted in the narration: "The experts say they'll have to increase prices a little to save the hospitals from going broke" The amount of the increase needed will still mean that health care costs in Japan will be far, far lower for the government and citizens than it is in the U.S.--where the issue is patients going broke.

Dear FRONTLINE,

Thank you for such an insightful program. I just moved back to the U.S from Munich,Germany where I lived the last 9 years. As someone with three small children, I've spent over $2500 in my first two months here just for basic check-ups and one case of strep throat - which is at least 3 times more than what I spent in all of my 9 years in Germany, which included two pregnancies, thyroid and gall bladder surgery, a few broken bones, back surgery and endless lower back rehab and messages; not to mention the countless visits for colds, viral infections, etc. The care was always great. The Germans even took care of my visiting mother who had to pay no more than $100 for an emergency room visit!

What was really shocking to me when I moved here and called for an appointment, is the first question I was always asked was "what insurance do you have"? , almost always in a tone that suggests "be prepared to pay immediately out of pocket if we don't recognize your insurance carrier". They basically treat you like a criminal if you don't have what they deem to be the "right" insurance.

Americas health care system is barely above third world status. To me, it comes down to two reasons: 1) greed, where both doctors and drug companies put profits before people; and 2) arrogance, where the U.S. believes its system is the best and we can't possibly learn anything from the Europeans .

And with the growing epidemic of obesity and the spiraling health costs that are enhanced as a result of fraud and litigation, I don't see things getting better anytime soon.

bob kinsella
White Plains, New York

Dear FRONTLINE,

T.R. Reid's message fails to explain the impact of American innovation in medicine on other countries' health systems. Of course other countries can reduce investment in physicians and pharmeceuticals, because most depend on the U.S. for investment, research, and education. If the world loses its strongest capitalist innovator edge, medical progress in the world will be stunted. Privatization and profit drives innovation, education, and progress.

At several points the program also refers to the U.S. system as being totally privatized. This is completely innacurate as U.S. government health care expenditures are among the largest (if not the largest) on its budget. Medicare and Medicaid already provide an enormous safety net for our citizens.

Caring for health is a universal obligation, but modernized healthcare is not. Many Americans squander educational opportunities, oportunities that would have enabled them to care for their own healthcare needs. Far worse, however, are the millions of Americans who don't care for their own health through poor lifestyle choices (e.g. smoking) and expect the government to pay for the fruits of their choices.

What America needs is not a better government or better healthcare system, but instead citizens who are willing to take responsibility for their own actions through better health choices and fewer abuses of the system.

Kenneth Turley
Perrysburg, OH

Dear FRONTLINE,

T.R. Reid made the comment that when he was in other countries using their health care program "thankfully", they did not have any serious illness. What would the outcome be with a socialized medical system in the event of cancer or some more serious long term illness. Would this system be better than the current US system that turns people down on procedures due to experimental nature when it is a life and death situation. Will this be covered in his book? I have spoke with a gentlemen from France who indicated their's was much like Canada with a waiting period. Certainly the Tiawan and Japan of immediately in for what ever the necessity would most be appreciated when in pain etc.

Linda A Evans
BA, OK

Dear FRONTLINE,

I saw little difference between this and Michael Moore's very one-sided "documentary" on international health care, once again with very little time given to the downside of the other countries' systems (but certainly plenty of time to repeatedly review our supposed shortcomings). One thing was clear in this program: if anyone will get the shaft, it will be providers. This is no surprise, because once health care power is transferred to the government, it becomes a political issue, which means keeping the voters happy in the short term is the priority, no matter the long-term consequences. We're already seeing this in Medicare, where providers are losing money on practically every visit and procedure, where an ill-conceived drug benefit is straining the system, and where the long-term financial health of the system is in critical condition. Politicians won't even consider raising premiums or eligibility ages or taxes or lessening benefits. Their solution: cut payments to "greedy" doctors and hospitals.

The vast majority of Americans are happy with their health care insurance and their access to health care. Our priority should be to cover the uninsured and catastrophic situations.

Thomas Scott
Des Moines, Iowa

Dear FRONTLINE,

Wonderful comparison! Why copy other countries, when we already have a plan that we know works, Medicare. Improved and Expanded Medicare for All, HR 676 (US National Health Insurance Act) has 88 co-sponsors! This would provide lifetime quality comprehensive affordable healthcare to ALL Americans without wasting our current $400,000,000,000 a year on private health insurance company administrative waste.

Robert Zarr
Washington, DC

FRONTLINE's editors respond:

Read more about this legislation here.

Dear FRONTLINE,

I want to express my absolute admiration for FRONTLINE's chronicle of comparable and contrasting systems of health-care in other developed nations. The report was both enlightening and timely, and a sad commentary on the state of things in the United States.

I hope that everyone who sees it will tell others to watch the report online, and spread the word.

Having lived abroad, I can also attest to the quality of health-care in Switzerland. Even as a foreigner, the care was inexpensive, extremely fast, and helpful. Notably, this is the exact OPPOSITE of my experience in three different states in the US.

I think that we, as American citizens need to take a hard look at what we're doing, how much we're paying, and the deplorable neglect of the poor and out-of-work people. We should be ashamed of creating this mess that we're in, and FIX it.

Matthew Gassen
Topeka, KS

Dear FRONTLINE,

It's too bad that a program like this can't get wider exposure, so that more Americans would be be able to learn that there really are workable solutions to our health care mess if we were willing to look outside our borders to find them. Too few Americans are aware of the excellent health care systems that other countries offer, and our political leaders seem unable or unwilling to get outside the tired old cliches about socialized medicine to suggest that we study these effective solutions. Bravo to Frontline for opening this window on how other societies provide universal health care to their citizens. Let's hope that the debate this election year opens voters' eyes to the possibilities. I hope Mr Reid's prayer comes true in my lifetime!

Jim Polito
New Milford, CT

Dear FRONTLINE,

Several points not covered in the report:- None of the countries portrayed has an ever increasing unskilled immigrant population like the U.S., in fact virtually all the countries in the report have strict immigration policies;

- Most all new drugs and technology is developed by U.S. based companies;

- U.S. doctors are not going to take the pay of a C.P.A.;

- Mortality rates for those with severe illnesses are horrible in most of these countries - i.e. organ transplants, virulent cancers, etc., much worse than the U.S.

- the report contained no hard statistics in these areas; and

- the middle class once again carries the heavy burden ... if everyone is made to buy in, and the poor get in free with gov't help, and the rich have the money, who gets the bill? I would like to see a more progressive pricing structure, and reasonable copays for the poor to dissuade some from abusing a system that is free for them.

Just my two cents, but overall a wonderful report - very balanced and straightforward.

Tim Buddenhagen
Ballston Spa , NY