I live in Taiwan, which has national health insurance. One afternoon I mentioned to my wife that my eye had felt strange all day. She suggested we go to the ophthalmologist, whose office was a block from our house. It was about 4:30 and I knew they closed at 5:00pm. Not only that, I had no appointment. I assumed that I'd be turned away but my eye was uncomfortable so we went. There were a few patients in the waiting area when we got there. Eventually the doctor saw me and by 5:10 I was walking out the door with some eye drops. I was impressed. I have had doctors here tell me they are proud of the system that allows them to serve everyone. It is common for Taiwan citizens who live abroad to continue paying their insurance premiums and then getting checkups when they return to Taiwan because they don't have to wait weeks as people in some countries must do.