Der Mythos der kostenlosen Gesundheitsversorgung in Deutschland: Ein System am Bruchpunkt

Compare it to the American system then it’s heaven.

The key in all of this is the cost per person. The US is twice as expensive as Germany for a level of care with outcomes that are no better on average, worse for poor income, and slightly better if you are old, white, and well off. This has some socioeconomic reasons on the outcome side as measured by life expectancy post 60, but the cost is mainly driven by the lack of central prize negotiation and thus a massive overhead.

Essentially, Germany sets prices for all procedures and meds. The US does not. Every hospital negotiates with every insurance (more or less). This results in pricing power by providers rather that insurers, and an incredible cost overhang on all sides to negotiate, and track, the system.

So while Germany doesn’t have a “one patient”, it has (again, more or less) “central prizing” which lowers cost massively.

All the US has to do is give Medicare back the power to negotiate. Insurances the take Medicare pricing plus a bit.