Hospital bills prove otherwise.

Countries like Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Mexico, Paraguay often provide a lower cost of living (especially for things like food, rent, and services).

The U.S. cost level is higher than average globally, and many parts of the world are far less expensive.

Originally posted by appendixmagician:

Hospital bills prove otherwise.

Originally posted by Perplexity.ai:

In statutory/public health insurance (GKV), the general contribution rate is 14.6% of your gross income, split equally between employer and employee (7.3% each). On top of this, each insurer charges an additional contribution (Zusatzbeitrag), averaging about 2.5% in 2025, also split 50:50.

And you pay for a service you are not allowed to use unless you are dying or willing to wait 18 months for an appointment at a doctor who doesn't speak your language, or are willing to pay a private doctor.

Wdym most prices I see are cheaper in Euros and Pounds

probably zimbawe

Originally posted by WarHeRo:

And you pay for a service you are not allowed to use unless you are dying or willing to wait 18 months for an appointment at a doctor who doesn't speak your language, or are willing to pay a private doctor.

Well on the bright side, when I drop dead, at least my family won't be in debt from expensive tests (not treatment, mind you). Nice whataboutism by the way.

I was so poor I had to steal potatoes

Originally posted by appendixmagician:

Well on the bright side, when I drop dead, at least my family won't be in debt from expensive tests (not treatment, mind you).

smth being pre-paid doesn't make it free. we pay for the insurance, and insurance in the USA is cheaper than in EU

Originally posted by appendixmagician:

Hospital bills prove otherwise.

Originally posted by appendixmagician:

Originally posted by WarHeRo:

And you pay for a service you are not allowed to use unless you are dying or willing to wait 18 months for an appointment at a doctor who doesn't speak your language, or are willing to pay a private doctor.

Well on the bright side, when I drop dead, at least my family won't be in debt from expensive tests (not treatment, mind you). Nice whataboutism by the way.

insurance and financial assistance programs for the poor exist. and tax credits and whatnot. ...although insurance in the us is starting to go to the ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

I'd imagine some place in Africa, Central/South American, or South East Asian country would be cheaper. Sure you standard of living there would be worse, and if you were actually working for a living there you pay would suck so bad the actual cost would be similar, but it is "technically" cheaper. It is why people from rich countries retire in those countries and why local women date them for their money.

Originally posted by WarHeRo:

Originally posted by appendixmagician:

Hospital bills prove otherwise.

Originally posted by Perplexity.ai:

In statutory/public health insurance (GKV), the general contribution rate is 14.6% of your gross income, split equally between employer and employee (7.3% each). On top of this, each insurer charges an additional contribution (Zusatzbeitrag), averaging about 2.5% in 2025, also split 50:50.

And you pay for a service you are not allowed to use unless you are dying or willing to wait 18 months for an appointment at a doctor who doesn't speak your language, or are willing to pay a private doctor.

? I popped up the Drs yesterday, and even got a second opinion. phoned up Around 11ish, appointment at 3.55.

no communication issues at all.

corndogs are expensive

You call $18 for a Subway sandwich cheap?

Back before Trump showed up, we used to buy any footlong for only $5.

More the reverse

Define everything