I was woefully uneducated about Germany before moving here. Take, for example, my perception on healthcare. I thought that all countries in Europe had government-run universal healthcare. Watching Michael Moore's Sicko shortly before leaving the States did nothing to shatter this assumption.
I believed that — unlike in the U.S. where health insurance comes with high premiums and is only available to people with decent jobs — in German healthcare was free and wonderful and available to all.
Yes, less then .2 percent of the German population is uninsured and the nation's system is rated higher then the U.S. by the World Health Organization.* What I didn't realize was that people working in Germany have to pay for half of their insurance. (This is particularly interesting when I consider that I my employer in the U.S. paid 100 percent of my health insurance costs.) Furthermore, you have the option of public or private insurance and have to pay a co-pay when you visit a doctor.
* Germany is ranked 25th and the U.S. 37th. France is on top of the list and Canada is 30th.
About Me
- Erin
- Ridgewood, NJ, United States
- In the fall of 2007 my husband and I moved to Germany. After more than a year of traveling, eating, and living abroad, we were transferred back to the states. At the time of our return, I was 34 weeks pregnant. This is a true account of our re-assimilation, reverse culture shock, and impending adventure into parenthood.
A Southern Something
I don't think there are quite enough sausages in the South to maintain the "Wurst of the Week." Instead, I am replacing this sidebar feature with "A Southern Something." To start, I'd like to introduce you to chow chow. A pickled relish, chow chow can be made from any number of vegetables, including cabbage, onions, or green tomatoes.
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1 comment:
Another couple of shocks I've experienced. Doctor's visits are totally different, with your doctor taking the time to talk with you. This is a GREAT thing. Prescriptions are nearly cost prohibitive, and almost always in a very low quantity so you must come back to refill (another thing which is a shock - no easy refills like America) before your illness is complete. The pharmacy is a WHOLE NEW EXPERIENCE!
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