[tomhoward]

The issue of how to fund welfare services, particularly health care, is basically the most difficult challenge faced by every government.

Health care budgets in most major countries seem to be growing faster than their ability to pay for them.

Naturally, every citizen and every immigrant feels like they should be able access whatever health care they need whenever they need it, particularly in an emergency.

And the notion that critical health care is a fundamental human right that should be provided to everyone is a reasonable one.

But it still doesn't address the question of how governments pay for all the staff and facilities and supplies that it takes to run a health system, particularly when so many western countries - Germany more so than any other - have just had a huge influx of people who need access to welfare services but aren't paying taxes to help fund it.

I don't have answers, I just know it's a hard problem and it's only getting harder.

But here's a suggestion: I think the post would be stronger if you were able to consider things from the point of view of the government who is faced with the challenge of providing and funding their health system, and of setting the right incentives for people to contribute their fair share of the costs and only use the services they really need.