You would think...but some think of it as a vacation...like I said, I know a few people who really know how to abuse the system...sad huh.
But on the other hand can we collectively advocate agaist something that in itself is a good thing because a few bad apples will abuse the system?
Lainie, Holland is basically the same system as the German system. It's not really "free" though. If you are employed a percentage of your income goes towards the health insurance and it is split equally by employer and employee. Basically the same as if the employer in America provides health insurance / benefits.
My older son was born in Germany and my younger son in the US 3 years later, so I had a direct comparison. There was a huge difference in the care I received in Germany and the one here. I had what would be considered pretty good insurance in the US, I could chose my doctor, etc. Just a few examples
I had to have unscheduled c-sections both times. In the US, I had to wait for another hour to get the surgery approved by the health insurance. In Germany, the doctor made the decision it was medically necessary and I was in the OR within 10 minutes.
In Germany after the c-section I was in the hospital for 9 days, had a private room, any of my visitors could stay as long as he wanted to, DH was able to stay overnight, I had a menu of healthy foods to choose from, fruit, yogurt, oatmeal, poached fish, etc. My co-pay was $ 500.
In the US I was in a "semi-private" room with my room mate having the TV on the highest volume 24 hours. The food was so bad and unhealthy I don't even want to talk about it. The room was pretty crappy. I asked to be released on the second day, I would have crawled out on all four if necessary
. My co-pay was $ 4,000.
It is absolutely incomprehensible to me that some of those politicians are refusing to fix a broken system to make it work for the citizens of this country. They really forget who they are working for.
And it is completely beyond me why some people think regulating the insurance industry is a bad thing and sound like this will turn us into a communist country.
Health insurance and profits is something that cannot not go together. It would never cross our mind to have police or fire department as something that is provided through the "free market".
When DH was employed I paid almost as much for that insurance than the one in Germany, the Germany insurance had much better coverage and less co-pay.
On a related note, I am always in awe of someone who decides to carry a baby to term who may have health issues. I think it as an act of love and as such on that issue I have great respect for Sarah Palin. However, knowing the realities of health coverage in this country, it is a lot easier for someone who gets first-class health insurance through their job, like say, a governor of a state
to deal with that issue strictly on a financial basis.
45 mio Americans don't have health insurance and it will be next to impossible to find adequate and affordable health insurance for a child with health issues under the current system. Where is the party who advocates pro-life at the top of their lungs and where are all the other pro-lifers when it comes to making sure that people CAN make a decision PRO-life and not fear to tumble into financial disaster.
Yes, I know it is not all about money, but boy, I think it is a consideration for many. To me looking at this and seeing Sarah Palin being put on a pedestal for her decision to keep her DS baby is very hypocritical when refusing to give women and families the financial means to be able make a pro-life decision.
To me it does not match up to Gov. Palin's promise to be an advocate for special needs children and staunchly opposes access to affordable health care.
Off my soapbox now
