Insurance Posts: Why Not Univeral Care?

germanpickle

For those on mobile: the full title is "Insurance Posts: Why Not Universal Care?"

The more these the insurance posts that pop up, the less I get/understand the rejection of universal health care in the US.

I'm an American - grew up without health insurance for a good part of the time - and now living in Germany. We have universal health care that is a percentage of our income up to a maximum amount.

My miscarriage cost me nothing beyond my very reasonable monthly insurance payment (375euro and I'm at the max). My first pregnancy, birth, and post-natal care cost my monthly insurance payment and 265euros. That included:

• U/S at every appointment (100 euros for extra U/S)
• 6 weeks leave at full-pay prior to PJ's birth
• all diagnostic tests
• birthing prep course
• 3 day stay in the hospital
• acupuncture (65 euros)
• induced birth with epidural
• 5 lactation consultant appointments
• midwife to my home at least 10 times after the birth
• rented hospital breast pump (100 euros for 3 months)
• 8 weeks leave at full-pay after PJ's birth
• 12 months leave at 67% pay between my husband and I (we shared the leave)

My appointments take place more often, with less of a wait that it seems is the case for most of you, considering I'm not high-risk.

So help me - what's the problem?

afry2001

I completely agree. I think that it is the only option for us now. Our healthcare/insurance/drug system is so corrupt, and most people are so scared of a government run system that they just take it.

But I'm one of those over the top crunchy

ballygirl

I'm with ya sister.

las7838

from my Canadian friend, the way The Government works there it is more efficient while our Government has a knack for making things more complex and expensive. And that is a huge problem.

Chrisanna0508

Ok, can we please get off of these highly divisive and political posts? There are a wide range of views on this board and there is no point in putting political things on here.

Ajoyd

You make an excellent point. My sister lives in Germany and it is a great place to get good healthcare and raise a family. I was jealous that she automatically got a midwife. Also, they let her do a water birth at the hospital and that was six years ago!

blondolphn

The down side is, is while everyone would get health care, everyone's health care would also go down. Someone the other day had to wait way to long to get into their ob. That wouldn't be uncommon. A lot of the procedures you'd have done, like taking th

raeyn

Chrisanna0508:

Ok, can we please get off of these highly divisive and political posts? There are a wide range of views on this

asilwhite

raeyn:

Chrisanna050

kimbo1216

The problem in America is that the people running our country don't have to go by the same rules we do.  Congressman and Senators are pretty much set up for life.  They have awesome healthcare coverage and (I believe) continue to get that cov

kimbo1216

Chrisanna0508:

Ok, can we please get off of these highly divisive and political posts? There are a wide range of views on this

bkeane619

Thumbs up for universal healthcare.  I would pay more in taxes to keep everyone more healthy and screw the pharmaceutical companies and insurance companies.  They make waaaaaay too much money from us and have too much clout in Washington.

msmarsh

kimbo1216:

Another problem is the system itself.  Why can't insurance companies cross state borders?  Why can't grou

norbert5

I will be honest and say that I think the two biggest issues surrounding universal healthcare are fear of the unknown and a lack of trust in our government.

I am divided.  I know the current system is not working, but I do not trust my curre

sleepy33

Oh, a topic near and dear to my heart, along with paid maternity leave! I'm the one who brought up on the $3000 post that I didn't know why so many are opposed to it. I absolutely agree that we need it, and I think most arguments against it are simply

germanpickle

Fascinating to read your thoughts and experiences. I see that there is some reasonable hesitation around government spending and accountability. I have similar for the german government, just for different reasons.

Regarding wait times and a

germanpickle

sleepy33:

Oh, a topic near and dear to my heart, along with paid maternity leave! I'm the one who brought up on the 3000 post that

kimbo1216

sleepy33:

find a way to reward them more monetarily for producing, say, new cancer drugs instead of new erectile dysfunction d

Chrisanna0508

Ok...I suppose I should rephrase. I actually really enjoy political debates, but I have a problem debating with the CousinVicki's of the world who insult you if you disagree. That was one of the last political things I posted on and it was just too much.

sleepy33

Oh, I agree that the advertising is a waste of money. I am glad they have started to limit the amount that drug companies can spend on perks and giveaways to doctors. Mostly gone are the days of huge free lunch spreads brought into the the office by drug

sleepy33

ntrick:

sleepy33:</

nbcarlson

I think the main problem is that I pay 400 a month for my insurance for my husband and I. That is a lot of money, but I chose that plan because I wanted a low deductible and a high coverage. I have no problem paying this much because I knew I needed it wh

Ajoyd

nbcarlson:

Frankly I don't have the money to pay taxes for someone else to get healthcare when they don't work.

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sleepy33

nbcarlson:

I think the main problem is that I pay 400 a month for my insurance for my husband and I. That is a lot of money, b

germanpickle

sleepy33:

ntrick:</

kimbo1216

Ajoyd:

nbcarlson:</

germanpickle

sleepy33:

nbcarlson

kimbo1216

One more thing: I think a lot of how you feel about the possibility of universal care has to do with whether or not you think health care is a right.  Some people believe it is.  Others see it as a privilege.   I personally like to bel

sleepy33

ntrick:

sleepy33:</str

sleepy33

dknight413:

nbcarls