[jwr]

As someone from the EU, this reads like dystopian fiction. I pay about $120/month into the state (mandatory) health insurance system. In return, I get crappy first-contact healthcare, but I know I am covered in case anything bad happens.

Example: ending up in a hospital in Italy during a skiing holiday involves showing your insurance card (or simply giving the number). That's it: there is no payment, no negotiation, nothing — you just get healthcare services and you're done.

The EU gets criticized for many things, but universal healthcare across the entire union is something that should get more praise than it does.

[TuringNYC]

>> As someone from the EU, this reads like dystopian fiction.

As someone living in the US (thankfully well insured and decently paid), I can confirm dystopian reality. Everything works well 97% of the time, until you have something that falls out of the confines of the giant decision tree -- and then things go really wrong. I used to think everything was well until we had a difficult pregnancy/delivery. In such cases, there are professionals who's service is bill reconciliation!

[nojvek]

I had health insurance and still we were in a 10k shock for normal delivery. US healthcare is a mafia extortion industry.

US is the wealthiest nation but the deadliest nation too in terms of preventable deaths.

[thijsvandien]

Even if you don't have health insurance, in most of Europe you are fine. Especially in Central/Eastern Europe, where doctors in public hospitals work extra hours privately to make a better living.

[jwr]

Well, I think in all of the EU, you will be treated no matter what in an emergency. It doesn't matter if you have health insurance or not. That's the whole point of universal healthcare, something I've come to regard as a basic right in a civilized world.

[masonic]

Same case for emergency care in the USA, even for private hospitals.

[jwr]

Yes, but if I understand correctly, you do end up with a bill afterwards.