Japanese Health Care System

I recently had a question/answer session with my Japanese physician coworker, an ear, nose, and throat physician who is working in my laboratory. He has lived in America for 10 years, and he has 3 children.

Q: How long is the wait to see a physician in Japan?
A: Same day

Q: What if you are diagnosed with cancer and need to see an oncologist? How long do you have to wait in this case?
A: Same day

Q: How much does a doctor's visit cost you personally?
A: 5 dollars

Q: What if the patient is diagnosed with cancer? How much does that cost the patient?
A: 10-20 dollars a month.

Q: What is the average salary for physicians in Japan?
A: Over 100,000 dollars a year.

Q: What do you think the problem is with Japanese health care?
A: If you are wealthy, you cannot pay for a higher level of care. I would like to see wealthy patients be able to demand better care. However, I believe the average level of care in Japan is similar to that in America, except we don't have to wait in Japan.

Q: How are physician salaries determined?
A: A physician makes a certain salary based on the level of subspecialty, and salaries are identical for each "level of training." The hospital hires as many physicians as is necessary to treat patients immediately, without a wait.

My conclusion: American health care could be SO much better if powerful people weren't for sale.