>>
>>Yes, of course there is a cost of medical care which is borne somewhere. To me it's more a matter of outlook. It's better that it be part of the cost of living in an evolved society, along with other social services like police, firefighters, highway maintenance, and so on.
>
>While I think having insurance against surprizing/untypical cost is a good thing,
>nearly totally free medical service IMHO is an aim overshooting and thereby creating a worse system.
>
>People should always be prepared to pay between 20~30% of annual income for medical cost out of their own pocket -
>perhaps via by an always decrasing part of the total bill to keep the incentive alive for a longer stretch -
>making certain that they keep their health and the cost of the service firmly in their own mind.
>Making brushing your teeth a better option than a total exchange at middle age cost wise as well ;-)
>
>And as baby boomers will drive medical cost sky high when they get to the age
>where cost is markedly above the mean of working population you will have to cut somewhere -
>pure demographics and economics, perhaps somewhat lessened by allowing foreigners
>to enter home care at affordable cost compared to own population wages.
>

20-30% a year out of pocket?! You consider that reasonable? I say this in the nicest possible way, but you're nuts ;-)

You know you are one of my favorites here so you know that reaction is to the point, not the person.

What is the reaction there to the soccer match yesterday? There were some pretty glum looking Germans in the stands on TV in the second half.