[TomMarius]

Yes I got that part wrong. Sorry I misunderstood the text I read on the topic, you're right. My original comment was talking about people that are not insured (and not obliged to e.g. due to not being residents). My point is that healthcare always costs something, and the sum is very similar to the cost in the US once you get them to give you a discount for uninsured people - but of course there is better social security for entitled people (most of residents) in the EU.

[hef19898]

Last time I checked, the US was among the most expensive countries regarding health care. But I don't have a source at the moment.

And sure, health care ia costing money, nobody is argueing that. What Europe figured out is that a solidaric system, one where people with less individual costs are covering for those with higher costs, are the optimal solution from a national perspective. It still pizzles me how that can actually be a issue in any developed democracy.

And again, all legal residents are eligible for health care in EU countries. A good thing if you ask me.

[TomMarius]

> Last time I checked, the US was among the most expensive countries regarding health care. But I don't have a source at the moment.

Yes, but that's comparing listed prices and not adjusted for purchasing parity. They will substantially reduce the price if you're not insured and ask them.

> And again, all legal residents are eligible for health care in EU countries. A good thing if you ask me.

I tend to agree, but that's not my point. I'm just saying that a clinic will bill you (indirectly) roughly the same as they'd in the US after you get it adjusted, but of course it's fully covered for most people here.

[hef19898]

I higjly doubt the last part, but I don't have any numbers. Just as some added cintaxt, the actual ciats are also quite different between European countries. And treatment is not the only cost driver, the way the system is set-up also has a big impact. One of the reasons why Germany is also constantly among the most expensive countries.

[TomMarius]

But the costs are different across the US as well. Of course it costs a lot in San Francisco, just like it would cost a lot in a major EU city - and it costs less in a rural area.