ER

I tripped and hit my chin on the pavement today, so I went to a hospital, since the cut looked kind of big. They did charge me for the visit (Italians just pay into a government-run health care system, so they don't pay when they go to a Dr.). The nurse asked the Dr. why I had to pay, and the Dr. said it was because I was American. However, the total price for the visit and 2 stitches, without bringing insurance into it, was $51.03 (35.65 euros). My somewhat recent emergency room visit in the US, not including the price of medication or lab fees, cost over $600.

Things You Don't See in the U.S. #4

Wine for a Euro (or $1.33).



(I scanned these from a grocery store flyer.)

Links

Good rebuttal to a pretty snobbish article on being an expatriate in Europe.