I'm one of the foolish old people with no insurance. This is mostly because I can barely pay my rent of around 100 usd per month. I have not had insurance in any country after having it for most of my life. I am 59 now and do not know if I will ever have the funds for insurance again. The last time I paid for it, my rate was $1200 usd a month in California in 2013.

I've been in SE Asia since 2016 and in a Bangkok Public hospital once. That was for infection and dehydration. I was treated for 6 hours in a public er ward for $45 USD and sent home with much advice and medications that healed me. 

I agree that insurance is a good thing to have and hope I never have the need. I read stories of people who get stuck in hospitals here if they cannot pay. We all will die someday, and there might be good odds on that for me. But I also walk in the streets with the motorcycles, so possibly this will be my fate. The last time I mentioned that aspect of my life, some told me I might be killed by a self-driving car instead - or two of them that were colluding.

I am an accountant and there is a saying in this field that "the most surprising gift people get is the gift of a long life." For me, getting to be 59 at all is a miracle I do not take lightly. I just thank God for every new day and get up to try again.