As you may know, even linking to BME in Germany is illegal, and the German government has already successfully taken legal action againt Google there to have BME removed from the German version of their search engine. I recently received this letter from a friend in Germany:
Bad news for Bodymod Freaks here in Germany. The government decided to redesign our health system. As a part of these changes so called “risk groups” like extreme sports fans or bodymod addicts have to pay any medical treatment they need by themselves, given the trouble is caused by these activities. No [standard] health insurance will cover any kind of problem you could have after a body piercing or a tattoo, not to speak about heavier mods.
So if you should be so unlucky to need very expensive treatment, a surgery maybe, because something went wrong when you got something pierced, you will have to pay thousands of euros (1 Euro is about 1.20 US Dollars) by yourself. If you can’t pay it you’ve got a serious problem. Because no Doctor will help you then.
And they talk about human rights. Yeah. But only rich people are humans to them. Be grateful you don’t live in a country which is ruled exclusively by money bags.
I asked for a little follow up information, but this is a brand new change so there is not much yet:
There is a way to get a health insurance which covers these special risks — but you have to pay 25 Euro (30 US$) extra per month, in addition to your regular health insurance. No matter how much you earn, these 25 will always remain the same. The extra insurance is volontary, but if you don’t have it, it is like I said: No doctor will help you if you get an infection from a piercing or something like that.It would have been a lot better if they offered an insurance you can buy when getting pierced, so a piercing will become more expensive, but you are safe if something goes wrong. Maybe some private insurance company will have this idea some time later, but this will surely take some time.And do-it-yourself piercers, self-modders or people who got an illegal modification done at an underground parlor would be unprotected in this case either.
So currently it looks as if you’ll have to join this extra insurance-fund, paying 25.- extra per moth, if should ever want to get a piercing or try yourself at a BMX offroad bike. All so-called “self-accountable risks” are to be covered in this expensive extra-insurance. If you refuse joining it, you should not risk to do anything dangerous. And a nostril or belly button piercing, as every second girl has it, would be considered dangerous in this context. I don’t know about how they include the standard ear lobe piercings there. 98% of the female population have pierced ears, including many women over 70 years. But as I know German bureaucrats they will make no difference there. Politics and reality are very different things.
So most people, but espeacially the younger ones, will have to pay this extra fee. Everything else would be too risky…
What do you think? Should body modification fans have to pay extra to have healthcare? And if anyone knows more about these changes, please do post them in the comment forum.
Comments
152 responses to “Germany ups the fight on Body Mod”
Just a side note that isnt related, when typing that comment i put wether instead of whether first, only to find out later that a “wether” is a castrated ram.
Just a side note that isnt related, when typing that comment i put wether instead of whether first, only to find out later that a “wether” is a castrated ram.
In my opinion, I think this is discrimination. What about other people who are deemed “risky”? Will it be more expensive for single mothers to deliver babies? Will alcoholics have to pay for new livers? There is no where to draw the line. Breaking your leg by tripping while walking down a sidewalk and breaking your leg while sky diving deserve the exact same treatment at the exact same price. It is also not clear to me that body modification is particularly “risky” in terms of number of medical treatments given. Should SMOKERS be the #1 group in this “risky” population?
In my opinion, I think this is discrimination. What about other people who are deemed “risky”? Will it be more expensive for single mothers to deliver babies? Will alcoholics have to pay for new livers? There is no where to draw the line. Breaking your leg by tripping while walking down a sidewalk and breaking your leg while sky diving deserve the exact same treatment at the exact same price. It is also not clear to me that body modification is particularly “risky” in terms of number of medical treatments given. Should SMOKERS be the #1 group in this “risky” population?
In my opinion, I think this is discrimination. What about other people who are deemed “risky”? Will it be more expensive for single mothers to deliver babies? Will alcoholics have to pay for new livers? There is no where to draw the line. Breaking your leg by tripping while walking down a sidewalk and breaking your leg while sky diving deserve the exact same treatment at the exact same price. It is also not clear to me that body modification is particularly “risky” in terms of number of medical treatments given. Should SMOKERS be the #1 group in this “risky” population?
In my opinion, I think this is discrimination. What about other people who are deemed “risky”? Will it be more expensive for single mothers to deliver babies? Will alcoholics have to pay for new livers? There is no where to draw the line. Breaking your leg by tripping while walking down a sidewalk and breaking your leg while sky diving deserve the exact same treatment at the exact same price. It is also not clear to me that body modification is particularly “risky” in terms of number of medical treatments given. Should SMOKERS be the #1 group in this “risky” population?
absolutely ridiculous and all sorts of wrong.
they should also think about not giving health care to people who smoke, people who drink and basically anyone stupid enough to actually LIVE THEIR LIVES.
absolutely ridiculous and all sorts of wrong.
they should also think about not giving health care to people who smoke, people who drink and basically anyone stupid enough to actually LIVE THEIR LIVES.
absolutely ridiculous and all sorts of wrong.
they should also think about not giving health care to people who smoke, people who drink and basically anyone stupid enough to actually LIVE THEIR LIVES.
absolutely ridiculous and all sorts of wrong.
they should also think about not giving health care to people who smoke, people who drink and basically anyone stupid enough to actually LIVE THEIR LIVES.
Though initially very attrocious sounding, I don’t really see this as very differnt than an insurance company charging someone more for being at a very high risk for heart failure. Don’t get me wrong, I believe that doctors should help the sick, regardless of what MADE them sick, and regardless of the size of their wallets (go Canadian Health Care System!), but here in America, we don’t have too much of a different system.
Though initially very attrocious sounding, I don’t really see this as very differnt than an insurance company charging someone more for being at a very high risk for heart failure. Don’t get me wrong, I believe that doctors should help the sick, regardless of what MADE them sick, and regardless of the size of their wallets (go Canadian Health Care System!), but here in America, we don’t have too much of a different system.
Though initially very attrocious sounding, I don’t really see this as very differnt than an insurance company charging someone more for being at a very high risk for heart failure. Don’t get me wrong, I believe that doctors should help the sick, regardless of what MADE them sick, and regardless of the size of their wallets (go Canadian Health Care System!), but here in America, we don’t have too much of a different system.
Though initially very attrocious sounding, I don’t really see this as very differnt than an insurance company charging someone more for being at a very high risk for heart failure. Don’t get me wrong, I believe that doctors should help the sick, regardless of what MADE them sick, and regardless of the size of their wallets (go Canadian Health Care System!), but here in America, we don’t have too much of a different system.
It may be that those points of view are unfashionable, and not just unpopular. I know many people who seem to love socialist ideals. They just can’t seem to conceive for themselves how in general govt bureaucracies are bad. ISTR that Shannon once spent 7 hours or so waiting to get his broken arm taken care of. Holy crap! In the US with universal health care (not insurance, know the difference!) he could have gone into any hospital and the triage system most use would have gotten him taken care of pretty quick. Or, he could have gone inot a private physician of his choice and paid any amount they agreed to to get himself fixed.
Someone please correct me if my memory is failing.
It may be that those points of view are unfashionable, and not just unpopular. I know many people who seem to love socialist ideals. They just can’t seem to conceive for themselves how in general govt bureaucracies are bad. ISTR that Shannon once spent 7 hours or so waiting to get his broken arm taken care of. Holy crap! In the US with universal health care (not insurance, know the difference!) he could have gone into any hospital and the triage system most use would have gotten him taken care of pretty quick. Or, he could have gone inot a private physician of his choice and paid any amount they agreed to to get himself fixed.
Someone please correct me if my memory is failing.
It may be that those points of view are unfashionable, and not just unpopular. I know many people who seem to love socialist ideals. They just can’t seem to conceive for themselves how in general govt bureaucracies are bad. ISTR that Shannon once spent 7 hours or so waiting to get his broken arm taken care of. Holy crap! In the US with universal health care (not insurance, know the difference!) he could have gone into any hospital and the triage system most use would have gotten him taken care of pretty quick. Or, he could have gone inot a private physician of his choice and paid any amount they agreed to to get himself fixed.
Someone please correct me if my memory is failing.
It may be that those points of view are unfashionable, and not just unpopular. I know many people who seem to love socialist ideals. They just can’t seem to conceive for themselves how in general govt bureaucracies are bad. ISTR that Shannon once spent 7 hours or so waiting to get his broken arm taken care of. Holy crap! In the US with universal health care (not insurance, know the difference!) he could have gone into any hospital and the triage system most use would have gotten him taken care of pretty quick. Or, he could have gone inot a private physician of his choice and paid any amount they agreed to to get himself fixed.
Someone please correct me if my memory is failing.
“Be grateful you don’t live in a country which is ruled exclusively by money bags.”
wait, what country is he talking about? not mine.
“Be grateful you don’t live in a country which is ruled exclusively by money bags.”
wait, what country is he talking about? not mine.
“Be grateful you don’t live in a country which is ruled exclusively by money bags.”
wait, what country is he talking about? not mine.
“Be grateful you don’t live in a country which is ruled exclusively by money bags.”
wait, what country is he talking about? not mine.
I agree with smurf… but why stop there?
Why not charge people extra who refuse to use pedestrian crossings, or maybe those who walk under scaffolding, or people who ignore the “hot coffee” warning on paper cups, and end up burning their mouths.
To be honest, I don’t think that it will work.
But hey, I’m communist 😀
I agree with smurf… but why stop there?
Why not charge people extra who refuse to use pedestrian crossings, or maybe those who walk under scaffolding, or people who ignore the “hot coffee” warning on paper cups, and end up burning their mouths.
To be honest, I don’t think that it will work.
But hey, I’m communist 😀
I agree with smurf… but why stop there?
Why not charge people extra who refuse to use pedestrian crossings, or maybe those who walk under scaffolding, or people who ignore the “hot coffee” warning on paper cups, and end up burning their mouths.
To be honest, I don’t think that it will work.
But hey, I’m communist 😀
I agree with smurf… but why stop there?
Why not charge people extra who refuse to use pedestrian crossings, or maybe those who walk under scaffolding, or people who ignore the “hot coffee” warning on paper cups, and end up burning their mouths.
To be honest, I don’t think that it will work.
But hey, I’m communist 😀
That’s ridiculous.
To quote Shannon:
“…piercing is a non-issue. Assuming studios are adequately regulated, piercing is incredibly safe — far safer than organized sports, driving a car, or all the other things we agree are within acceptable levels of risk… The long term problems are minimal…”
The law is singling out people who participate in activities that are slightly outside the “social norm”.
That’s ridiculous.
To quote Shannon:
“…piercing is a non-issue. Assuming studios are adequately regulated, piercing is incredibly safe — far safer than organized sports, driving a car, or all the other things we agree are within acceptable levels of risk… The long term problems are minimal…”
The law is singling out people who participate in activities that are slightly outside the “social norm”.
That’s ridiculous.
To quote Shannon:
“…piercing is a non-issue. Assuming studios are adequately regulated, piercing is incredibly safe — far safer than organized sports, driving a car, or all the other things we agree are within acceptable levels of risk… The long term problems are minimal…”
The law is singling out people who participate in activities that are slightly outside the “social norm”.
That’s ridiculous.
To quote Shannon:
“…piercing is a non-issue. Assuming studios are adequately regulated, piercing is incredibly safe — far safer than organized sports, driving a car, or all the other things we agree are within acceptable levels of risk… The long term problems are minimal…”
The law is singling out people who participate in activities that are slightly outside the “social norm”.
as an actuary, i see no problem with people paying extra if they are in a higher risk group. in fact, here in canada, i’m angry about subsidising the healthcare for smokers! HOWEVER the problem in germany is that no one is basing this on any scientific studies, but only on their own biases. if there was a study done that showed that pierced people are more likely to need medical care, then by all means, i won’t mind paying extra. but in this case, there is no sound study to support this. biased people simply assume that pierced people are infection mongers.
as an actuary, i see no problem with people paying extra if they are in a higher risk group. in fact, here in canada, i’m angry about subsidising the healthcare for smokers! HOWEVER the problem in germany is that no one is basing this on any scientific studies, but only on their own biases. if there was a study done that showed that pierced people are more likely to need medical care, then by all means, i won’t mind paying extra. but in this case, there is no sound study to support this. biased people simply assume that pierced people are infection mongers.
as an actuary, i see no problem with people paying extra if they are in a higher risk group. in fact, here in canada, i’m angry about subsidising the healthcare for smokers! HOWEVER the problem in germany is that no one is basing this on any scientific studies, but only on their own biases. if there was a study done that showed that pierced people are more likely to need medical care, then by all means, i won’t mind paying extra. but in this case, there is no sound study to support this. biased people simply assume that pierced people are infection mongers.
as an actuary, i see no problem with people paying extra if they are in a higher risk group. in fact, here in canada, i’m angry about subsidising the healthcare for smokers! HOWEVER the problem in germany is that no one is basing this on any scientific studies, but only on their own biases. if there was a study done that showed that pierced people are more likely to need medical care, then by all means, i won’t mind paying extra. but in this case, there is no sound study to support this. biased people simply assume that pierced people are infection mongers.
I do live in a country ruled exclusively by moneybags. Be glad you have some form of National Health Care.
I think it’s ironic that in a country where you can go 150 mph on the freeway that BMXers, mountain bikers, and pierced/modified individuals are considered “risk groups”
I do live in a country ruled exclusively by moneybags. Be glad you have some form of National Health Care.
I think it’s ironic that in a country where you can go 150 mph on the freeway that BMXers, mountain bikers, and pierced/modified individuals are considered “risk groups”
I do live in a country ruled exclusively by moneybags. Be glad you have some form of National Health Care.
I think it’s ironic that in a country where you can go 150 mph on the freeway that BMXers, mountain bikers, and pierced/modified individuals are considered “risk groups”
I do live in a country ruled exclusively by moneybags. Be glad you have some form of National Health Care.
I think it’s ironic that in a country where you can go 150 mph on the freeway that BMXers, mountain bikers, and pierced/modified individuals are considered “risk groups”
Waiting4Arson: I can’t speak for all the countries, but at least in the UK the right to health care comes from the taxes we pay.
And I have to agree with smurf’s logic; if smokers and junk-food eaters have a right to healthcare, so do people who experience trouble with their bod mods. We shouldn’t forget that a vast number of ailments from which we suffer today result from / are aggravated by our lifestyle choices (whether that is to practice unsafe sex, drink in excess, stress too much or drive carelessly, to mention just a few….)
Waiting4Arson: I can’t speak for all the countries, but at least in the UK the right to health care comes from the taxes we pay.
And I have to agree with smurf’s logic; if smokers and junk-food eaters have a right to healthcare, so do people who experience trouble with their bod mods. We shouldn’t forget that a vast number of ailments from which we suffer today result from / are aggravated by our lifestyle choices (whether that is to practice unsafe sex, drink in excess, stress too much or drive carelessly, to mention just a few….)
Waiting4Arson: I can’t speak for all the countries, but at least in the UK the right to health care comes from the taxes we pay.
And I have to agree with smurf’s logic; if smokers and junk-food eaters have a right to healthcare, so do people who experience trouble with their bod mods. We shouldn’t forget that a vast number of ailments from which we suffer today result from / are aggravated by our lifestyle choices (whether that is to practice unsafe sex, drink in excess, stress too much or drive carelessly, to mention just a few….)
Waiting4Arson: I can’t speak for all the countries, but at least in the UK the right to health care comes from the taxes we pay.
And I have to agree with smurf’s logic; if smokers and junk-food eaters have a right to healthcare, so do people who experience trouble with their bod mods. We shouldn’t forget that a vast number of ailments from which we suffer today result from / are aggravated by our lifestyle choices (whether that is to practice unsafe sex, drink in excess, stress too much or drive carelessly, to mention just a few….)
“The law is singling out people who participate in activities that are slightly outside the âsocial normâ?. ”
Not true, the social norm is to have your ears pierced, in fact its nearly encouraged. The fact is about 65% of people will have to pay this extra money just for having their ears pierced.
“The law is singling out people who participate in activities that are slightly outside the âsocial normâ?. ”
Not true, the social norm is to have your ears pierced, in fact its nearly encouraged. The fact is about 65% of people will have to pay this extra money just for having their ears pierced.
“The law is singling out people who participate in activities that are slightly outside the âsocial normâ?. ”
Not true, the social norm is to have your ears pierced, in fact its nearly encouraged. The fact is about 65% of people will have to pay this extra money just for having their ears pierced.
“The law is singling out people who participate in activities that are slightly outside the âsocial normâ?. ”
Not true, the social norm is to have your ears pierced, in fact its nearly encouraged. The fact is about 65% of people will have to pay this extra money just for having their ears pierced.
Tunnelled, triage in the US would have made me wait just as long. I was a low priority case.
As a general statement, the stats say there are about 43 million pierced and/or tattooed people in the United States. Is it really reasonable to suggest that the popularity of tattoos and piercings has added a $15 BILLION (43M people * $30 per month * 12 months) per year load on the healthcare system in the US?
Give me a break — this is a SCAM.
Tunnelled, triage in the US would have made me wait just as long. I was a low priority case.
As a general statement, the stats say there are about 43 million pierced and/or tattooed people in the United States. Is it really reasonable to suggest that the popularity of tattoos and piercings has added a $15 BILLION (43M people * $30 per month * 12 months) per year load on the healthcare system in the US?
Give me a break — this is a SCAM.
Tunnelled, triage in the US would have made me wait just as long. I was a low priority case.
As a general statement, the stats say there are about 43 million pierced and/or tattooed people in the United States. Is it really reasonable to suggest that the popularity of tattoos and piercings has added a $15 BILLION (43M people * $30 per month * 12 months) per year load on the healthcare system in the US?
Give me a break — this is a SCAM.
Tunnelled, triage in the US would have made me wait just as long. I was a low priority case.
As a general statement, the stats say there are about 43 million pierced and/or tattooed people in the United States. Is it really reasonable to suggest that the popularity of tattoos and piercings has added a $15 BILLION (43M people * $30 per month * 12 months) per year load on the healthcare system in the US?
Give me a break — this is a SCAM.