SP: It seems no matter where, everyone at some point needs a doctor. Sometimes it's an emergency, but not always. With a growing family, Ulf Gaespar (phonetic) has more concern about everyday care for his daughters, Emma and Mila.
UG: We have the feeling it's a fairly well organized system.
SP: Healthcare is important, and the girls are covered under a family plan.
UG: You present your insurance card. That's all. And the children get free medical care. There's no extra charge, whether for regular checkups, for treatments or for prescription medicines.
SP: Like over 85% of the population, the Gaespar family is insured under Germany's public health system. Most people use one of a variety of insurance companies. Everyone pays a percentage of their salary for health insurance, and that amount is generally matched by the employer. Premiums and services are regulated by the government. The basics are covered: Visits to the doctor, medicines, treatments, although adults are required to pay a nominal co-pay fee for some items and services. Also covered are hospital stays. And there's another option available as well: private insurance. New mother Daniela Krug was covered by private insurance. In general, public officials, the self-employed, and those who earn more than about $70,000 a year can choose private insurance. It costs more, and fees depend on the level of service one opts to receive. Basic care is the same for all, but private insurance pays for extras...(Also, the husband can stay here.)...Private insurance pays for a more comfortable hospital room, even one where father stays with mother and baby. And, it'll also pay higher fees for patient's treatment by senior medical staff. In general, everyone in Germany is entitled to, and covered by, health insurance, whether unemployed or switching jobs or retired. Dr. Thomas Kasting (phonetic), Chief Administrator of Berlin's Red Cross Hospitals Group:
TK: The German mentality is, “I am insured and I have the right to get access to all the medical treatment that I need at any time, for any disease, for any pain, for any burden that I suffer from, immediately.”
SP: Germany's state-regulated public universal healthcare system dates back to the late 1800s. It's a complex system of public and private insurance plans regulated by the government but still giving individuals a good deal of choice. In general, the system gets high marks. But it's not without problems. There are complaints about the two-tier system of coverage, and some believe that people with private insurance get quicker and better care, and are therefore healthier. Rising costs and an aging population also put extra demand on the system, and this worries health providers.
TK: If you're right to get out certain services out of this system - unlimited - then of course, the system cannot be financed in the future.
SP: Many say cutbacks in services are inevitable, and there's constant debate about how to balance services with rising costs, rising demand and less revenue. Cutting back on services is not what Ulf Gaespar wants. He sees a different solution.
UG: I would like to see the private insurance scheme eliminated because I don't see why a small percentage of the population, under private insurance, gets privileged treatment and access to better healthcare than the rest of us.
SP: But Gaespar thinks that option is not likely to be realized. He believes there's little political will for that. Germans often talk of solidarity within society, roughly meaning everyone is in it together, everyone has responsibilities, and no one should get left out. It's a strong feeling, says Ulf Gaespar, but he knows the harsh realities of costs and benefits are likely to concern future generations as well. Sonia Pace, VOA News, Berlin.
标题
Universal Healthcare in Germany (VOA)
视频介绍
Voice of America - September 29, 2009
85% of German families are insured under Germany's public health system. Everyone pays a percentage of their salary and that amount is generally matched by the employer.
Speaker: Sonia Pace (SP), Reporter, VOA News
