European mind cannot comprehend this

One of my family members had a bad headache recently. They had two doctor appointments, a CT scan and MRI, then awaiting results had to go to hospital. Another MRI and CT plus a lot more tests and scans. Next day top neurologist comes in and determines likely MS. A week in hospital later, all the drugs like steroids, immunity boosters, the IV stuff for staying off food for a few days, etc. then off to a neurology clinic for more tests and scans, MS confirmed. Treatments start in 3 months. In the meantime a bunch of vaccinations and immunity boosters, including blood work having to go off to another country for some reason to be tested...

So far, $250—aboit $160USD—and a chunk of that was actually an acupuncture session before first doctor. They're going onto another state system that makes specialised treatments and tests fully covered because of their diagnosis, so they can be conducted precautionary even when a doctor thinks it's unnecessary but would like peace of mind.

That's for life. Any money spent now will be optional care. But most quality of life things related are covered, like if they need carer at any point at home or occupational therapy for work. Obviously normal physical or psychological therapy is covered too.

This is what we get in exchange for 2% of our taxable income each year. Socialism is just the worst.

Edit: Oh, forgot to mention... The state will actually be giving them money each month too to cover micro-costs that may be related. Kind of like a pension or allowance for small-ticket stuff they don't need to track or declare. Also, their symptoms are mild and they're expected to live quite the normal and long life.

I am from Europe and know nothing about this. But someone once told me that this would sound like a bigger issue than it actually is. Because you would just need a good job at one of the top companies and then you would get insurance that covers basically all and everything without any extra expenses. So since I am a programmer I should not worry about these things.

Edit: Since it was not clear, I don't really believe that.

Yuuup. I wanted a hysterectomy. Was told no because my insurance doesn't cover "elective" hysterectomies. Ok, but it's not really elective, my periods have become increasingly debilitating and birth control isn't managing it. Nope, sorry, missing work regularly because of symptoms is totally normal and women just have to deal with it. I ended up getting a bilateral salpingectomy (which is covered electively) because I wanted to make sure pregnancy was really off the table, and they found fibroids. A year and a half later, it's gotten bad enough that now the stupid hysterectomy is no longer considered elective.

So now my insurance is going to pay for TWO surgeries instead of just the one I originally wanted because some dumbass bean counter decided that's how it should work. Super cost effective. And I really love having to recover from multiple surgeries, it was really fun the first time, so I can't wait for a second, worse time. But hey, we can't possibly trust doctors and patients to know what's going on more that someone who has never and will never meet either of them!

TFW your healthcare system is so fucked it creates an exploitable niche market for a country you don't even share a border with.

Americans and Europeans can visit

Not many Europeans need this. Americans, definitely. What an awful healthcare system in the US.

Watching my father fall apart to dementia, and reading about all the asbestos/lead poisonings creeping to boomers, I definitely know I'm full of microplastic and will probably have brain rot too.

I don't think suicide is the answer. But ill consider it if I find out that I end up being crazy racist and vote for Baron Trump on 2050 or something.