Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
They're not required to, they're just charged extra if they don't. It's not covered under their free public health care, so the charge comes out of their own pocket, but some of the private health insurance policies (yes, Germany has private health insurance, too, not just public health care) cover it. Same thing with hospital wards vs. semi-private rooms. Free public health care covers a ward room, but if you want a semi-private room, you must either have a private health insurance plan or pay out of pocket.
So its a non-issue. Pay $5 as a charge for toiletries and towel or pay $20 000 a day for a US hospital stay. Difficult decision. All developed countries have co-pays as well. Usually in the ballpark of $20 for various services. Terrible. Absolutely terrible.
Oh, Germany has private health insurance? Thats strange. We are told that a national health care system means private options will be eliminated and we will all be slaves...oh wait a minute, all developed countries have private options for those who prefer that. The scare mongering is ridiculous.
So its a non-issue. Pay $5 as a charge for toiletries and towel or pay $20 000 a day for a US hospital stay. Difficult decision. All developed countries have co-pays as well. Usually in the ballpark of $20 for various services. Terrible. Absolutely terrible.
Oh, Germany has private health insurance? Thats strange. We are told that a national health care system means private options will be eliminated and we will all be slaves...oh wait a minute, all developed countries have private options for those who prefer that. The scare mongering is ridiculous.
Yes, Germany has private health insurance. Along with better coverage, what many consider a major benefit of private health insurance in Germany is the speed of care. Those who have private insurance will not be left waiting on a list, but will be attended to quickly (in other words, they get to jump the line), and some German doctors only take patients with private insurance. Doctors aren't required to accept one and all as patients.
It's a two-tiered system, and I'm wondering if Americans would be willing to accept the same... a basic lower standard of health care and waiting lists for government-provided health care, and then a higher level tier where those with private insurance get better care, quicker access to health care services, and more access to doctors as doctors can decline to accept government health care patients.
Yes, Germany has private health insurance. Along with better coverage, what many consider a major benefit of private health insurance in Germany is the speed of care. Those who have private insurance will not be left waiting on a list, but will be attended to quickly (in other words, they get to jump the line), and some German doctors only take patients with private insurance. Doctors aren't required to accept one and all as patients.
Sounds terrible. No wonder so many Germans are trying to push for an American private health care system. Oh wait. They dont.
I just looked up the private health insurance expenditures in Germany. It is absolutely tiny. You seem to live in some fantasy land.
Actually, they do. Some have it. The rest, those on government health care, get a lower level/standard of health care.
Thats true in every country in the world. If you are rich, you can go anywhere to get whatever health care you need. I dont see your point. Are you trying to dupe people into believing that there is strong support in Germany for an American style health care system? Private insurers are strictly regulated in Germany. A far cry from the price gouging and scams taking place in America. The fact that you dont understand the difference is funny.
Thats true in every country in the world. I dont see your point. Are you trying to dupe people into believing that there is strong support in Germany for an American style health care system?
No, I'm just making sure people are aware that public health care isn't a "we're all treated equally" thing. Public health care is basic/lower-level type of health care... limited access to doctors, waiting lists, etc., and private insurance provides better health care services, more coverage, more access to doctors, and eliminates waiting lists.
Do you think Americans would be good with a similar two-tiered system?
No, I'm just making sure people are aware that public health care isn't a "we're all treated equally" thing. Public health care is basic/lower-level type of health care... limited access to doctors, waiting lists, etc., and private insurance provides better health care services, more coverage, more access to doctors, and eliminates waiting lists.
Do you think Americans would be good with a similar two-tiered system?
Plenty of waiting lists in America. Official statistics are hard to come by, but its often longer for many services in America than in Germany. And most certainly for people with less than gold standard premium health insurance. Its hilarious that you think we dont have a two-tiered system in America. Money decides life and death to a much, much higher degree than in Germany where everyone gets high quality care. Please dont denigrate the German public health care system calling it "basic", while private regulated insurance gives supposedly "more coverage", when you just rely on sources like....well...who knows what you rely on. I've heard about a "family", but that is anecdotal nonsense.
Plenty of waiting lists in America. Official statistics are hard to come by, but its often longer for many services in America than in Germany.
It's all relative, isn't it? Those who are privately insured have access to better care, more doctors, and less waiting in line for health care services.
Medicare in the US is a perfect example. Many private medical practices are moving into a concierge-type practice, and they don't accept or keep Medicare patients unless they pay, for example, a $2,000/year/person "membership" fee. That's an out of pocket cost because Medicare doesn't cover it.
And most certainly for people with less than gold standard premium health insurance. Its hilarious that you think we dont have a two-tiered system in America. Money decides life and death to a much, much higher degree than in Germany where everyone gets high quality care.
So you DO understand that 'Medicare for All' in the US wouldn't change any of that. AND it would be ridiculously expensive, as already noted.
Quote:
Please dont denigrate the German public health care system calling it "basic", while private regulated insurance gives supposedly "more coverage"
It's not a denigration. It's just the truth. You choose to perceive it as a denigration. Germany has a two-tier health care system. Some get better care/access than others.
It's all relative, isn't it? Those who are privately insured have access to better care, more doctors, and less waiting in line for health care services.
Medicare in the US is a perfect example. Many private medical practices are moving into a concierge-type practice, and they don't accept or keep Medicare patients unless they pay, for example, a $2,000/year/person "membership" fee. That's an out of pocket cost because Medicare doesn't cover it.
So you DO understand that 'Medicare for All' in the US wouldn't change any of that. AND it would be ridiculously expensive, as already noted.
It's not a denigration. It's just the truth. You choose to perceive it as a denigration. Germany has a two-tier health care system. Some get better care/access than others.
Yes, its relative. The US system is on another planet in terms of tiered care compared to Germany. The fact that you think the German system is even remotely comparable to the US system where money decides everything is absurd. "Some get better care if they can pay alot of money" is true anywhere. But everyone gets good care in Germany. You bring up "family stories" as source, but that's not good enough. I think its mostly conservatives who has this notion that private care will be outlawed with a Medicare-for-all system. You watch too much Fox News. As long as private care is allowed, and its allowed everywhere with a single payer system except North Korea and maybe Cuba, rich people can pay more and get the treatment they need on the spot.
Yes, its relative. The US system is on another planet in terms of tiered care compared to Germany.
The point is that 'Medicare for All' will not change that, AND it would be ridiculously expensive as already noted.
Involuntary servitude is unConstitutional (13th Amendment), so all private medical practices would have to do is operate as a concierge practice, and charge whatever membership fee they wish to limit access to only those with the money to pay for the membership fee out of pocket, as is already happening.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
