So needless to say a lot of people took issue with the whole thing. The biggest one being that it was all presented in a punitive manner (i.e. “do this or else” rather than “if you do this you can save a little money.”) The bigger question I have though is why does this actually reduce the insurance companies’ costs? It seems simple and dumb, and wouldn’t it all be covered in a doctors visit?

The answer is simply that people do not go to doctors except when they have a serious issue that they can no longer ignore. The attitude you had towards doctors while in the US is not at all unique, it is probably the majority. That in and of itself increases health care costs a great deal. It also means that no in fact a lot of the stuff that comes up in that questionnaire is not covered in a doctors visit because the doctor is too busy treating the problem right in front of them to look any deeper. Then you’re lucky to get ten minutes with a doctor during an hour or longer appointment so there’s no chance to go further into anything.

Of course in the US we’re not even to the point where we can suggest that making it easier to visit a doctor and making the experience less traumatic might be a good thing. We’re still at the point where a decent chunk of people don’t have insurance at all and so a visit to the doctor runs the risk of bankrupting them if indeed there is something wrong. That’s a bigger obstacle, and though the Affordable Care Act certainly helps, it doesn’t solve the problem.

I know it’s a lie because there is absolutely no way there’s useful info in here, just my ramblings. And who’s going to spend a lot of time looking for that?

I got a few more good suggestions for witty come-backs since this morning. It’s too bad it’s so hard to think of them in the moment.

And it’s almost not worth it. My life is pretty good. I think she’d be hard-pressed to have a better one, especially with the circle of friends she must have, given a personality like that. So I think perhaps I’ll try to be nice to those sorts of people. They need it more than the rest of us. And if we’re really lucky, she might learn by example.

I can totally relate with you! It’s not just Heidelberg that’s a pain with tax n customs its everywhere in Germany.

I’ve been slow learning German as well. I know I should learn it, but I’m busy with other things like you are. But, English is the international language of the world, so most people should know it. Sometimes, if I find a lady rude like the one you had to suffer with, I ask her in shock and in a like omg tone : ” u don’t know English?!!! everyone knows English!!! ” and then look surprised. lol ;)

Take care n all the best with writing
I know this was only a blog post to let off steam, but you write really well. It flows :)
xox

I’m so happy with myself. I’m 3/3.

Haven’t used the coconut oil much because it’s really solid. Like, I keep it in the fridge in plastic and it’s rock hard. Maybe next time I make chicken stir fry I’ll give it a shot.

I tried to change every seventh word to avoid technical plagiarizing.

I lean on the debate for information because I think it’s one of the few primary sources I’ve actually witnessed.

Oh, and on Ron Paul: he could never win based on how he says “can’t,” alone.
Kee-ant