Health Care
With aging populations and rising costs, health care provision is a concern for societies on both sides of the Atlantic. Although both the U.S. and Germany have very different health care systems, a more nuanced analysis of the systems shows that both countries are confronted by similar challenges, among them the reform of the health care system so that it rewards quality health care and payment systems for medical providers. A cornerstone of economic policy, health care policy in Germany and the U.S. will influence domestic policy debates for years to come.
Federalism At Work: The Health Care Act in the Supreme Court
The recent Supreme Court hearings on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) – President Obama’s landmark health reform – received widespread attention on both sides of the Atlantic. For most Europeans, it is incomprehensible why this reform became subject to such legal controversies, but as AICGS Resident Fellow Dirk Göpffarth argues, the legal issues are mostly concerned about the relationship of the federal level and the states – a typical conflict in a federal state.
Structure of the U.S. Health Care System
Insurance The United States has had a more privatized system than most European countries, with a relatively low proportion of health insurance provided by public programs. According to the Commonwealth Fund, in 2010 “56% of U.S. residents received primary coverage through private insurers,” while 27% “were covered under public programs.” The remaining… Read more >
Structure of the German Health Care System
Insurance In Germany, individuals purchase insurance through a system characterized by public-private partnership. Federal law requires all Germans to hold health insurance, but does not provide coverage directly. In the German system, about 85 percent of residents purchase heavily regulated, non-profit insurance referred to as Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung (Statutory Health Insurance, GKV), approximately… Read more >
The Legal Framework of Abortions in Germany
With campaigns in full swing leading up to the U.S. presidential election in November of this year, the issue of birth control and abortion has generated substantial debate on both sides of the political spectrum. Though the laws and views of the U.S. on this sensitive subject have been brought to the forefront, the stance of other countries tends to be left out. In this AICGS Spotlight, Susanne Dieper explains the laws surrounding birth control and abortion in Germany, including a brief history on how these laws have evolved.
News and Research emailed to you »
Support our Society, Culture, & Politics Program »
Sprechen Sie Deutsch? »
