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17 years ago @ Change.gov - Change.gov: The Obama-... · 0 replies · +1 points

Or a government can have a regulatory role (one of the main functions of law) where free market insurance companies are held responsible for an appropriate coverage like here in the Netherlands. Or else greed and focus on profit will take it over from responsibility. It is just a matter of organizing a compassionate society, and building on a society for a better future is also a responsibility of a government, is it not.

17 years ago @ Change.gov - Change.gov: The Obama-... · 0 replies · +2 points

Dear Patty, low income families or individuals, like elderly or students see their premiums largely compensated for by a fiscal extra allowance here in the Netherlands. The quality of the health care services is high. The range and reach of the insurance packages is obligatory for the insurance companies, so overhere no one runs "out of luck".

17 years ago @ Change.gov - Change.gov: The Obama-... · 0 replies · +2 points

Dear Patty, If this is what you would like to see for all Americans, then the Obama team should really have a serious look at the Dutch health care system. of course there will always be matters for improvement, but I am really happy (and healthy) with our system. I am educated in Law, specialized in health care law and I am really astounded (if not shocked) to read the stories about the U.S. health care system.

17 years ago @ Change.gov - Change.gov: The Obama-... · 0 replies · +2 points

In the Netherlands accessible and appropriate health care is a basic (constitutional) right (similar to art. 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights) and subsequently we have a very fine health care system ( a mixture of free market principles and social regulation by law and officially proclaimed to be by far the best in Europe). I hear no one complaining over here, and it really does not lead to negligence.

17 years ago @ Change.gov - Change.gov: The Obama-... · 3 replies · +2 points

I really hope that there will be a balanced health care system for all Americans. It is possible (yes, we can) : The Netherlands are the overall winner in the Euro Health Consumer Index 2008, launched last week in Brussels at a press conference hosted by the Health Consumer Powerhouse. The Netherlands win this year with the biggest recorded margin to the runner-up so far. Dutch healthcare is also the sub-discipline winner on Range and Reach of Services Provided.
Under the new Health Insurance Act ( Dutch : Zorgverzekeringswet ), all residents of the Netherlands are obliged to take out a health insurance.
The system is a private health insurance with social conditions. The system is operated by private health insurance companies; the insurers are obliged to accept every resident in their area of activity. A system of risk equalisation enables the acceptance obligation and prevents direct or indirect risk selection. My personal insurance costs me 114 Euro per month.

http://www.minvws.nl/en/themes/health-insurance-system/default.asp

17 years ago @ Change.gov - Change.gov: The Obama-... · 0 replies · +1 points

In 2008 the no-claims scheme was replaced by a compulsory excess of 150 euros a year. People with unavoidable long-term health expenses, for example due to chronic illness or disability, are compensated financially.

Like the no-claims bonus, the compulsory excess only applies to people aged 18 and over, and the same forms of healthcare are also excluded. The no-claims scheme still covers bills for 2007, which means the bonus for 2007 will be paid out in March 2008. Healthcare insurers will still be entitled to reclaim incorrectly made payments until 1 April 2009.
I do not have to worry that any possible health problems have a negative effect on my financial situation.
My personal insurance package covers almost everything thinkable and it costs me 114 Euro per month, automatically deducted from my salary.

17 years ago @ Change.gov - Change.gov: The Obama-... · 0 replies · +1 points

The insured pay a nominal premium to the health insurer. Everyone with the same policy will pay the same insurance premium. The Health Insurance Act also provides for an income-related contribution to be paid by the insured. Employers contribute by making a compulsory payment towards the income-related insurance contribution of their employees.
The health insurance comprises a standard package of essential healthcare. The package provides essential curative care tested against the criteria of demonstrable efficacy, cost effectiveness and the need for collective financing.
Untill 2008, everyone who paid health insurance premiums was entitled to a rebate of up to 255 euros if no claim was made during the preceding year. The scheme was known as the ‘no-claim rebate rule’.

17 years ago @ Change.gov - Change.gov: The Obama-... · 0 replies · +1 points

I really hope that there will be a balanced health care system for all Americans. It is possible (yes, we can) : The Netherlands are the overall winner in the Euro Health Consumer Index 2008, launched last week in Brussels at a press conference hosted by the Health Consumer Powerhouse. The Netherlands win this year with the biggest recorded margin to the runner-up so far. Dutch healthcare is also the sub-discipline winner on Range and Reach of Services Provided.
Under the new Health Insurance Act (Zorgverzekeringswet), all residents of the Netherlands are obliged to take out a health insurance.

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