As the United States Supreme Court considers whether requiring people to have health insurance is unconstitutional, Germans are bewildered as to why so many Americans appear to be against universal coverage.

They also question the continued portrayal of US President Barack Obama and his health reform backers as socialists and communists, noting that healthcare was introduced in Germany in the 19th century by Otto von Bismarck, who was definitely not a leftist, and is supported by conservative and pro-business politicians today.

‘It’s a solidarity principle,’ says Ann Marini, a spokesperson for the National Health Insurers Association. ‘Not every ‘S’ automatically means socialism.’

Marini and others say that mandated coverage is something that is simply not questioned in Germany. Furthermore, even the most pro-market politicians wouldn’t dare to dismantle the country’s health insurance system.

System Only Works if Everyone Takes Part

The requirement that everyone buy health insurance is based on a simple concept, healthcare experts agree. Allowing healthy people to opt out of having health insurance destroys the insurance community and leaves insurers covering only the sick.

American health insurance companies are well aware of that. America’s Health Insurance Plans, a trade group, filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court in January saying the required […]