Quote:
Originally Posted by Minte
Insurance company profits are only a part of the problem. Hospitals over charge, equipment manufacturers overcharge, pharma over charges, some may say doctors, nurses and staff make too much. Just eliminating insurance company profits isn't any kind of a fix for the system here.
Just curious, at what rate is the average German taxed on their income? And do they pay property tax? Sales Tax? I know they have a inheritance tax that's outrageous.
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overcharging is not so much an issue in Germany, doctors and hospitals are paid on a case by case basis and the prices are decided by committees (as far as i know). a broken ankle for example costs the same everywhere (basically)
and we're talking just about what is covered by insurances, not plastic surgery or so - you have to pay that yourself
pharma companies still make huge profits
medical manufacturers still make huge profits (i worked in that industry for 7 years)
many doctors still live VERY comfortable
hospitals do not make profits
and its difficult to put the whole german tax system in one post - it's pretty complex.
but the average tax rate for a german that makes 60.000 Euro per year ($80K) is 28%
and they have a 19% sales tax (but its already included in the prices, you dont notice it cause you never see the net price)
and the inheritance tax is not outrageous at all for 99.9% of the people
you have 500,000 Euro free, for 1 million you pay like 65,000 tax
if you inherit 10 million euro you pay like 2 million - that hurts, true. but how many people inherit 10 million euro or more...
edit: i forgot property tax, it's pretty low, it doesnt have the same purpose like in the US. you pay like 100-200 euro per year for a flat i think