It's free - at the point of use.
Also the basic national insurances indeed cover a lot of things AND they don't have this whole "insurance can deny prescription/procedures" thing.
Treczoks@lemmy.world 1 week ago
It is not free, we do pay. But this insurance covers a lot of things the US system does not. And any co-pays are easy, like 5€ for medication, or 10€ per day in hospital (but for a maximum of two weeks per year, IIRC, then it’s free).
fonix232@fedia.io 1 week ago
AlecSadler@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 week ago
Every single day over the last 10ish years the US looks worse and worse (I already didn’t love it) and almost everywhere else looks significantly better.
I want to leave.
marxismtomorrow@lemmy.today 1 week ago
You pay over your lifetime what a US citizen might pay in a particularly bad year. Including all tax burden.
Casterial@lemmy.world 1 week ago
Now, think of this. We pay 24% federal and some of us pay 9% state tax, meaning people like in California lose 33% instantly and our benefit is…military? Ambulances cost $1000, hospital visits cost you a soul, or your first born. Yeah, I’d prefer to just pay 40% and have the benefits you have.
Bratosch@lemmy.world 1 week ago
Dude, thank you. Genuinely. I’ve always been baffled by Americans constantly arguing that healthcare in Europe “isn’t free because taxes”. Included in our ~35% tax is healthcare, all education from first grade all the way trough college/Uni, parents get like 2 years of PTO when the child is born, etc.
If you add together the costs of all of the above in the US, It’d vastly outweigh what they “save” in lower taxes.
toofpic@lemmy.world 1 week ago
Oh, if you mean taxes generally, than in Denmark, 36% of my money I never see on my account. And the healthcare is slow, and in some cases I would have to prove that I have problems, and no, painkillers and “walk more” don’t help. But if something serious will happen, yeah, I know I’m safe
Casterial@lemmy.world 1 week ago
Paid healthcare isn’t better, it took me 2 days to get medicine I needed because of “referrals needed”
surewhynotlem@lemmy.world 1 week ago
In the US you have to do the same, IF you have the money and coverage to do so. Many don’t, so they don’t even get the chance to prove they need the help.
I have money and good insurance. I want to see an endocrinologist. First I need a referral from my doctor, then I need to wait four months to get an appointment. It’s ridiculous.