Learning from Taiwan: Experience with Universal Health Insurance
Authors: Karen Davis, Andrew T. Huang
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2008)

Editorials19 February 2008Learning from Taiwan: Experience with Universal Health InsuranceKaren Davis, PhD and Andrew T. Huang, MDKaren Davis, PhDFrom The Commonwealth Fund, New York, NY 10021, and Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710. and Andrew T. Huang, MDFrom The Commonwealth Fund, New York, NY 10021, and Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710.Author, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-148-4-200802190-00011 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail As the 2008 presidential election renews the debate about health insurance coverage, the United States can learn from the experience of countries that have recently moved to achieve universal coverage. What gains can we expect from coverage for all in improved health, better access to health care, and reduced financial burdens for the most vulnerable patients? What are the potential downsides of a single-payer system of health care financing?In this issue, Wen and colleagues (1) provide insights into these questions. Their analysis of trends in life expectancy before and after the introduction of national health insurance in Taiwan in ...References1. Wen CP, Tsai SP, Chung WS. A 10-year experience with universal health insurance in Taiwan: measuring changes in health and health disparity. Ann Intern Med. 2008;148:258-67. LinkGoogle Scholar2. Nolte E, McKee CM. Measuring the health of nations: updating an earlier analysis. Health Aff (Millwood). 2008;27:58-71. [PMID: 18180480] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Institute of Medicine. Care without Coverage: Too Little, Too Late. Washington, DC: Institute of Medicine; 2002. Google Scholar4. Cylus J, Anderson GF. Multinational comparisons of health systems data 2006. New York: The Commonwealth Fund; 2007. Google Scholar5. Huang AT, Wang CHJ, Yaung CL. Insuring Taiwan's health. McKinsey Quarterly. 2001;4:13-6. Google Scholar6. Commonwealth Fund Commission on a High Performance Health System. A High Performance Health System for the United States: An Ambitious Agenda for the Next President. New York: The Commonwealth Fund; 2007. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Karen Davis, PhD; Andrew T. Huang, MDAffiliations: From The Commonwealth Fund, New York, NY 10021, and Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710.Disclaimer: This work is original and reflects the views of the authors, not those of the officers, directors, or staff of The Commonwealth Fund.Disclosures: None disclosed.Corresponding Author: Karen Davis, PhD, The Commonwealth Fund, 1 East 75th Street, New York, NY 10021; e-mail, [email protected]org.Current Author Addresses: Dr. Davis: The Commonwealth Fund, 1 East 75th Street, New York, NY 10021.Dr. Huang: Duke University Medical Center, Box 3942, Durham, NC 27710. 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