> 2. I can get an MRI in the USA within 3-5 days (sometimes next day), virtually anywhere in the country. You can get that in Germany as well and don't even ha

> 2. I can get an MRI in the USA within 3-5 days (sometimes next day), virtually anywhere in the country. You can get that in Germany as well and don't even have to pay anything for it. And I'm speaking out of experience because my girlfriend was diagnosed with a brain tumor: If you have sudden symptoms (like a seizure in her case) or a threating disease you basically get all appointments within 2-3 days. So far her total co-payment for 18 months of treatment, 3 hospital stays with surgeries, about 10 MRIs, radiation and chemo therapy and daily medicacion is about $300. And since she can't work at the moment because of her illness she gets a monthly payment ("Krankengeld") by the public health insurance which is about 90% of her last after-tax salary and lasts for 78 weeks. Since you already have to worry enough about your illness you shouldn't have to worry about money as well. I'm so glad that we don't live in the USA.