Universal Healthcare System: Germany's Health Care System

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In the 1880’s Germany became the first country in the world to implement a universal healthcare system (Skolnik, 2012). Centuries later, many high-income nations use Germany’s healthcare system as a model for their own (Skolnik, 2012). In 2013, Germany spent 11.3% of their gross domestic product on healthcare ("World Factbook: Germany ," n.d.). The health system in Germany is heavily regulated by the government to ensure everyone has the ability to receive high quality, affordable care (Skolnik, 2012). All legal residents of Germany are required by law to have health insurance (Blumel & Busse, 2015). Public health insurance in Germany is covered by sickness funds that are organized by region and occupation (Skolnik, 2012). Working people pay …show more content…

As they began to experience the benefits of this program, opinions changed (Obermann et al., 2013). In 2012, 11.3% of Germany’s gross domestic product was spent on their healthcare system. The German healthcare system is paid for primarily through payroll taxes (Clarke & Bidgood, 2013). 15.5% of the country’s gross wages are paid into sickness funds (Clarke & Bidgood, 2013). Prior to 2011, employers and employees paid equal amounts into the healthcare system (Obermann et al., 2013). As the costs of healthcare services increased, employers began to struggle to pay their equal contributions. Reforms in 2011 froze employers’ contributions at 7.3%, while employees continued to experience raises in their contribution. Currently, employed citizens pay 8.2% of their pre-tax income (Obermann et al., …show more content…

High levels of unemployment paired with a growing aging population have strained previously abundant funds (Kuhlmann, Allsop, & Saks, 2009). Currently, all SHI recipients over the age of eighteen are required to pay co-payments for most medical visits (Clarke & Bidgood, 2013). Populations who are exempt from co-payments are children, those who have been injured at work, and pregnant women (Clarke & Bidgood, 2013). However, these payments are limited to 2% of a household income per year. Once a household pays 2% of their income, they are no longer required to provide co-payments (Clarke & Bidgood,

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