RE: Health Coverage for Contractors

[Chris <cud -at- telecable -dot- es>]

Drifting off topic, but...   As an American who has moved to the EU, I 
can see what you mean.  We don't qualify for the state healthcare, but 
signing up for private insurance was so simple (opposite of complicated) 
and free of restrictions that we held up the line at the desk demanding 
the fine print...  It was too difficult to walk away without it.  It 
isn't perfect, but it's sure better than nothing, and it sure costs a 
reasonable amount.  And we actually see our *doctor*, not an assistant - 
something we never managed under our last HMO.

But in a culture that is based on state medicine, the private insurance 
is generally less efficient than the stat system.  The good doctors 
generally want to work in the state hospitals - pediatricians 
expecially.  And that's where the money for technology is.  But overall, 
I'm glad to live in a place where I can afford to cover my family.