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Viewing How Does Health Care Differ Between the USA and Germany?How Does Health Care Differ Between the USA and Germany?
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In any country, citizens worry about their general health. Some countries have the means to take care of their population, while others don't. There's even the case where a country has the means to take care of everyone, but chooses not to. By Steven Cance In any country, citizens worry about their general health. Some countries have the means to take care of their population, while others don't. There's even the case where a country has the means to take care of everyone, but chooses not to. The United States of America, a developed nation, could choose to provide universal health care, but due to politics, doesn't offer it. The USA has several kinds of privately and publicly funded health insurance plans that provide healthcare services. Examples of health care providers are employment-based and government-based. In a 2003 US Census Bureau report, 26.6% of US citizens were covered by government-based health care, 60.4% were covered by employment-based, and 15.6% had no insurance whatsoever. In Germany, the health service is highly decentralized. Each of the 16 states in Germany takes responsibility for the maintenance and building of hospitals. The state-regulated health insurance providers hold some control over running costs. Germany has a universal multi-payer system with two main types of health insurance: 'compulsory health insurance' (Gesetzlich) and 'private' (Privat). United States health care is funded in 3 different ways. One is a benefit for employees with continued benefits available to retirees. Another is funded by government programs such as Medicaid and Medicare, for eligible low-income persons, those over the age of 65, and people with disabilities. The last comes from the private purchase of health insurance, which is usually sold by more self-employed citizens. Germany's health care is funded through employer and employee payroll taxes. Before people reach the retirement age of 65, people must, by law, pay into health insurance plans. Only certain people can get private health insurance. In Germany, the majority of people get their insurance from state-regulated plans and have over 400 options to choose from. As mentioned with private insurance in Germany, only 3 types of people can quality for private insurance. Self-employed people are excluded from the state-regulated plans, and so must take private insurance. People that make over roughly US$3,800 a month can choose to get privately funded insurance instead of state-regulated. Public employees like firemen and police get reimbursed for part of their health costs by the state, but have to be privately insured to cover the rest. The United States average death age is 78 and it places at 29th in the world. Germany's average death age is 78.95 and is placed 23rd according to 2007 estimates by The World Fact Book. Andorra is number 1 with an average death age of 83.52 Since the United States and Germany have amazing economies, they can still do better when it comes to health care for their citizens. About the Author: This article was written for our friends at Private Krankenversicherung to help people better understand the world's heath care systems. Article written and distributed by Steve Cancel, IT Manager of Computer Repair Michigan. Article Source: 1st Rate Articles - http://1stRateArticles.com |
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