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In reply to the discussion: Bernie Sanders Is Losing Primary Battles, But Winning A War [View all]DFW
(54,330 posts)There are a few exceptions. My wife had some residual problems from her first cancer treatment, and insurance refused to cover some of the ones they considered "too exotic" to be standard, even though she was fully employed at the time.
If an employed German in Germany has a medical problem, they are entitled to the second class health coverage known as "Kassenpatienten," in other words, coverage by one of the patchwork of semi-private health insurance companies. You may have to wait six months for an appointment for a disease that will kill you if not treated in four months, but at least you'll get an appointment. If you are unemployed before 65, you can buy coverage. I paid my wife's 450 a month premium between the time she retired (at 60--cancer plus mobbing was too much for her) and the time she turned 65 last year. Otherwise she would have had no health insurance at all.
As an American working for an American employer, the Germans grant me zero benefits, but demand 50% of my earnings, even on certain earnings that are already source-taxed in the USA at the full rate, pushing my tax rate up to 90% on that income. However, despite that being illegal under the German-American double taxation treaty, they don't care. While education here is paid for out of taxes, health care is paid for out of special contributions (taxes, if you will) from employers and employees alike. So, while I am helping pay for someone's education, I get no health coverage here at all unless I want to opt for the $35,000 a year premium, which is a little out of my league.