TBH it was hard for me to wrap my head around Europe's healthcare, I've was always told that it was similar to where I'm from (Scotland) but I would read about insurance and employer healthcare and be really confused, since up here everything (prescriptions, glasses, teeth) is free and there's no insurance.

There's been stories of tourists asking where to pay / show their insurance card and the receptionist at the hospital would shrug and say that they don't know what to do.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I’m from (Scotland) but I would read about insurance and employer healthcare and be really confused, since up here everything (prescriptions, glasses, teeth) is free and there’s no insurance.

I'm in England, and I know there is a difference, but I highly doubt private insurers haven't made it up your way, and are slowly carving the NHS hollow from within just like they are down here (a very superficial look confirms that hundreds of millions are already being spent on private firms carrying out NHS Scotland work).

People get denied NHS treatment all the time, if not directly (and yes, some directly, like trans people, but also disabled people with long term and complex cases, which I know from personal experience), then via cuts and waiting times.

Sure, we have it better than the yanks, and you up north have it better than us down south, but please lets not pretend our NHS is in good shape (or hands, Starmer has made it clear that he is for more privatisation), providing prompt and accessible healthcare, or not going the exact same way the US healthcare system is (often being bought up by the very same companies).

The last thing we need is to be getting complacent.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I’m northern English, and work for the NHS. I’m honestly quite scared.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

I wish it were any consolation at all to say you weren't alone in those feelings..

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 week ago (1 children)

That sounds nice and simple! I don't 100% understand the German system either, I just know that it costs about 15% of my income each month (half is paid by my employer), and if my doctor writes a prescription on a pink sheet of paper, the meds don't cost me more than like 5-10€ (apparently it's some sort of co-pay thing).

We also have a system for private health insurance, because people employed by the government aren't allowed to benefit from the government-subsidized health insurances. But I'm not earning enough to know specifics about it haha

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

It's all gone electronic very recently, but the "pink" medicine is considered optional in a way. It's mostly QOL-improving stuff like aspirin or ibuprofen. It used to be free, but the decision has been made to further disadvantage the poorest part of society for which 5 € can make quite a difference.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 week ago

Interesting! Is there a color for medicine that is absolutely necessary? I know that when I was seriously messed up and needed Antibiotics those were put on a pink slip, idk how optional those were :o

I've also seen the green papers, which are for completely self-paid stuff (so like, weird unproven teas and supplements)

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 week ago

I’m English, I’m jealous of the eyes and teeth thing.

Scotland seems almost utopian.