You can read the entire article here.
SHOW NOTES:
Why I left the US part 1 podcast and article (high cost of living)
Why I left the US part 2 article (healthcare)
Why I left the US part 3 article (safety)
Serenity concierge health service in Portugal
DD Cardinal’s Links re: Healthcare in Portugal: TikTok (watch the TT one, she breaks it down beautifully) Her YouTube video about her low medical costs and experience.
Scroll down for a short list of pharmaceutical increases and health coverage in other European countries
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—Living Abroad on a Budget - Expat on a Budget - My Unknown Adventure - Kimberly Anne
Pharmaceutical Increases
Epinephrine (EpiPens) increased from about $100 in 2007 to over $600 by 2016. Why? Mylan (the manufacturer) raised prices without any significant changes to the product.
Daraprim: A decades-old medication used to treat toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection. In 2015, the price of Daraprim increased overnight from $13.50 per pill to $750 per pill (a 5,000% increase). Why? Turing Pharmaceuticals, led by Martin Shkreli, acquired the drug and exploited its monopoly status, as no generic alternatives were available in the U.S.
Albuterol Inhalers for asthma used to cost about $15–$20, but prices have risen to $50–$100 or more per inhaler.
Doxycycline the antibiotic: The price for a bottle of 500 tablets rose from $20 in 2013 to over $1,800 in 2014.
1. Countries in Europe with Fully Socialized Healthcare Systems
In these countries, healthcare is predominantly provided and funded by the government, often referred to as the Beveridge Model:
United Kingdom (UK):
The National Health Service (NHS) provides healthcare that is free at the point of use, funded through taxation.
Most healthcare providers work for the government, though some private options exist.
Norway:
The public healthcare system is funded by taxes and covers nearly all medical expenses.
Hospitals and healthcare providers are predominantly owned and operated by the government.
Sweden:
Healthcare is tax-funded and administered by regional authorities, with minimal out-of-pocket costs for patients.
Most healthcare services are provided by public institutions.
Denmark:
Healthcare is funded through taxes and provided by publicly-owned hospitals and clinics.
Primary care doctors act as gatekeepers for specialized treatment.
Finland:
Healthcare is tax-funded, with services provided by municipalities.
Public hospitals dominate the system, and healthcare is free or very low-cost for residents.
Iceland:
Healthcare is funded through taxation, with most services provided by the government.
Patients pay minimal fees for prescriptions and some outpatient services.
2. Countries with Universal Healthcare Funded by Insurance
These countries have universal healthcare systems funded through compulsory health insurance (a Bismarck Model), heavily regulated by the government to ensure affordability and access:
Germany:
Healthcare is funded through a mix of statutory health insurance (SHI) and private insurance.
SHI is mandatory and funded by payroll taxes, covering most residents.
France:
Universal healthcare is funded through a mix of public health insurance and taxes.
Most costs are covered by the national system, and private insurance is common for supplemental coverage.
Belgium:
Healthcare is funded through mandatory health insurance, which is subsidized by taxes.
Most residents are covered through public health insurance funds.
Netherlands:
Residents are required to purchase health insurance from private companies, but the government regulates prices and provides subsidies.
Universal coverage is achieved through this system.
Austria:
Healthcare is funded through social health insurance contributions, which are mandatory for most workers.
The government plays a strong regulatory role.
Switzerland:
Similar to the Netherlands, health insurance is mandatory, and the government ensures it is affordable by providing subsidies based on income.
Healthcare providers are a mix of public and private entities.
Luxembourg:
Healthcare is funded through mandatory health insurance and government contributions.
Patients can access both public and private providers.
3. Countries with Mixed Models
Some countries blend socialized medicine and insurance-based systems, ensuring universal coverage while allowing private healthcare options to coexist:
Italy:
The Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN) provides universal healthcare funded through taxes, with minimal or no out-of-pocket costs for most services.
Private providers also exist, but most Italians rely on the public system.
Spain:
Healthcare is tax-funded and universal, with services provided primarily by the public sector.
Private providers are available for those who choose supplemental insurance.
Portugal:
Healthcare is primarily funded through taxation, with universal access for residents.
Private healthcare exists for those who prefer it.
Greece:
The public healthcare system (ESY) provides universal access funded through taxes and social insurance.
Private healthcare providers are also common.
Ireland:
Ireland has a public healthcare system funded by taxation, but many residents purchase private insurance to access faster care or private hospitals.
4. Eastern European Countries
Most Eastern European countries also provide universal healthcare, though the quality and funding levels can vary. These systems are generally tax-funded, with some out-of-pocket costs or supplementary private insurance:
Poland: Universal healthcare funded through the National Health Fund (NFZ).
Czech Republic: Mandatory health insurance ensures universal coverage.
Hungary: Universal healthcare funded by taxation and social insurance.
Slovakia: Universal coverage through mandatory health insurance.
Romania: Universal healthcare funded through taxes, though private insurance is growing.
Bulgaria: Universal coverage funded by mandatory health insurance and taxes.
*this block (#’s 1 - 4 re: healthcare in Europe information is from ChatGPT
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