These stories come from the real people who live with a broken health care system. Some have health insurance and some do not. Many of these stories suggest potential solutions* that lead to quality, affordable health care we can count on. One thing we all agree on is that the we cannot trust the insurance industry to fix themselves. To learn more about what Health Care for America Now stands for read our Statement of Common Purpose.
We wanted to give you a chance to speak for yourself, in your own voice, about the need for Health Care for America Now. Do you have something to say? Tell us your story.
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Dana
brooklyn, NY
I'm a US citizen and until spring 2008 I had been living in Germany for the last 4 years (I now go back and forth between the US and Germany regularly).
I became legal in Germany, and was able to apply for a state-sponsored health insurance program for artists, through the KSK (or KunstlerSozialKasse - literally, Artist's Health Insurance). After an application process,approved professional and emerging artists with low income (of any kind), the KSK helps arrange low cost health and dental insurance by matching your payments and this goes to the actually insurance company. Because my income is low (around 5000 euros a year) my insurance is only 89 euros a month for full medical and dental coverage!
That said, private insurance can be still quite expensive, but it's very good.
In addition, when I decided to return to the US on a more regular basis, as a legal resident there I was able to apply for German Traveler's Insurance, through an independent insurance company which covers me in the US for a one time payment of 10 euros a year, for any trip outside Germany for up to 8 weeks. If I am gone for more than 8 weeks, at that time i can choose to pay 3 euros a day for additional coverage after the 8 weeks. Also, when I return to Germany, the 8 week time limit re-sets to another 8 weeks.
This is for 'emergency' treatments only, but in europe, an emergency is not dictated by severe emergencies like car accidents or head wounds, but small things that may effect us regularly like twisting an ankle, and eye infection, and so on.
Many Germans I know say they would never travel outside their country without something like this, and i agree.
As a resident of both countries, I find it especially ironic that to get health insurance in the US, I have to be a 'traveler' to my own country, or go back to Germany to get proper treatment - which by the way, is great, thorough, and includes alternative treatments like acupuncture, homeopathic treatments, and so on.
The system I have luckily found is simply downright civilized. What a relief I have this option...I sincerely hope that I can find a way to get covered in the US soon. There's alot to learn from the insurance companies in Europe.
*Health Care for America Now is not responsible for the content of these stories. These stories are submitted by individuals in the online audience and have been edited in some cases. Health Care For America Now does not endorse any of the solutions or policy positions suggested in the content of these stories. Health Care for America Now is a coalition of organizations that agree to the Statement of Common Purpose.
See our coalition partner list.
Read the Statement of Common Purpose.
