German Health Care

• Sickness funds (300 statutory)• Those who make above 3,862 euro per

month may opt out• Premiums are a percentage of income

(average 14 percent of which employer pays half)

• Competition amongst funds to get members

• Physicians belong to regional physician associations which bargains for the physicians and pays the physicians

• Hospitals -54% public• -38% non-profit• - 8% for-profit

• Can go directly to a specialist• Can go to a different physician and do not need an

appointment• 2.3 physicians per 1000 population• 1.5 in UK• 2.1 in Canada• 3.0 in USA• 0.7 in world

• Unemployed who have worked continue – employer share paid by national insurance system

• Unemployed never worked have an arrangement made with one of local funds of last resort

• Removed in 2004 – non-prescription drugs and taxi rides to physicians office