Germany's Health Insurance System

Title:Germany's Health Insurance SystemWord Count:513Summary:About 87 percent of the residents of Germany have statutory health insurance, i.e. GKV. As ofMay 2005, the GKV relied on 321 non-profit sickness funds to collect premiums from theirmembers and pay health care providers according to negotiated agreements. Those who are notinsured this way, mainly civil servants and the self-employed, receive health care throughprivate for-profit insurance.An estimate of 0,3 percent of the German population (around 250,000 people) has n...Keywords:private,health insurance, statutory, price comparison, insurance quotesArticle Body:About 87 percent of the residents of Germany have statutory health insurance, i.e. GKV. As ofMay 2005, the GKV relied on 321 non-profit sickness funds to collect premiums from theirmembers and pay health care providers according to negotiated agreements. Those who are notinsured this way, mainly civil servants and the self-employed, receive health care throughprivate for-profit insurance.An estimate of 0,3 percent of the German population (around 250,000 people) has no healthinsurance at all. Some of them are so rich that they do not need it but most of them are poor andreceive health care through social assistance.Germany's statutory health insurance搒There are three different categories of sickness funds: primary funds, substitute funds andpecial?funds. Some workers are required to be members of the primary funds, e.g. if they earnless than the than the income ceiling (2006: EUR 3,937.50 per month / EUR 47,250.00 per

year). Those earning more than that ceiling may be members on a voluntary basis, or they mayhave a choice of funds. Some of them automatically become members of a particular fund for搒example because of their occupation (company-based funds) or place of residence (localsickness funds). Some occupations have their own pecial?funds, e.g. farmers or sailors.Substitute funds are divided into two kinds: they provide health insurance to both white collarworkers and blue collar workers earning more than the income ceiling. Membership isvoluntary.抯Both, employers and employees pay half of a member premiums, which in 2006 averaged抯between 13 and 14 percent of a worker gross earnings up to the contribution assessmentceiling (2006: EUR 3,562.50 monthly / EUR 42,750.00 p.a.). Premiums are fixed according to抯earnings rather than risk and are unaffected by the respective member marital status, familysize, or health. Premiums are the same for all members within a particular fund with the sameearnings.Germany's private health insurance抯About eleven percent of Germany residents pay for private health insurance provided bysome 40 for-profit insurance carriers. Many of those choosing private insurance are civilservants who want to secure percentage of their medical bills not covered by the government.Some sickness-fund members buy additional private insurance to cover such extras as a privateroom or a choice of physicians while in a hospital. Otherwise, the medical care provided to thepublicly and privately insured is identical. In both cases the same medical facilities are used.Self-employed persons earning above the income ceiling must have private insurance. Membersof a sickness fund who leave it for a private insurance carrier are not allowed to return to publicinsurance.抯As opposed to the statutory heath insurance, contributions to the private insurance depend onthe member age, gender, occupation and health status, that is, the individual risk. Althoughprivate insurance companies pay health care providers about twice the amount paid by theprimary sickness funds, private insurance is often cheaper than statutory health insurance,especially for younger policyholders without dependents. As is the case for members ofsickness funds, employees who have private insurance have half their premiums paid by theiremployers.Title:Male Sexual Health: Past and PresentWord Count:888Summary:Preoccupation with male genitalia and sexual performance is not unique to 21st century men.搈In fact, men from ancient times were also obsessed with the male genitals and its supposedagical?effects as a symbol of fertility and good harvest. The article also discusses the need formen to get more information about male sexual health, especially regarding the problem of

male impotence. Aside from stressing the need for sexual health education, the article alsomentioned the availability of drugs that help treat erectile dysfunction.Keywords:sexual health, male sexual health, sexual health clinicArticle Body:Preoccupation with the male genitalia and virility is not a new social behavior. Ancientcivilizations had already placed a high value on the phallus not only for sexual reasons but alsofor the preservation of peace and order. The phallus was a very important symbol in theRoman Empire, specifically in the city of Pompeii. Pompeii is famous for being the Romancity that was literally buried in lava, mud, and rocks when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 B.C.Accidentally discovered in 1748, the city was found beneath meters of ash and pumice.People who resided in that city were found stone-like and lying in different poses that showedtheir panic and despair that fateful day when the volcano took away their lives and property.But another interesting find in the ruins was a fresco inside the Villa dei Vetii. The frescoshowed Priapus weighing his penis against a sack of money. In Greek mythology, Priapuswas a fertility god who was also considered the protector of livestock, plant life, and yes, eventhe male genitals. Called Mutinus Mutunus in Roman mythology, the said minor god was theson of Aphrodite and Adonis. The fresco boasted how Priapus' privates outweighed the bag fullof coins. In fact, sculptures and images of Priapus were placed by farmers in the fieldsupposedly to ensure the abundance of the harvest. For the Romans, his status also served as ascarecrow. The erect penis was not only propped to scare off the birds but burglars as well.These statues usually had inscriptions that contained the threat of sodomy on anyone caughtstealing in the field or house where the said stone figures were set-up. During those times,rape was a common punishment for criminal offenders.Archeologists and sociologists believe that for many men during those ancient days, a properly搈functioning penis was crucial to having self-esteem. Proficiency and endurance in sexualactivity were considered anly?attributes, and are still viewed as such by most 21st centurymen. But what is really interesting in the archeological ruins of Pompeii is how the penis asa symbol was highly regarded, even revered, by the Roman people.Today, we can hardly see pictures or statues of men that show the disproportionately sizedpenis. In ancient Rome, it was important enough to commission an artist to paint such a scene搒inside one's villa. Still, the preoccupation with the male genitals and sexual performance isstill a ilent concern?for most men. Lack of sexual ability, or more accurately, the inabilityto achieve an erection is a major male concern. It is estimated that at least 30 million Americanmen have been diagnosed with erectile dysfunction. As a sexual health problem, maleimpotence is defined as the total inability to achieve an erection; an inconsistent ability toachieve an erection; or a tendency to sustain an erection for only brief moments.Sexual health is more than just an issue of prevention and control of sexually transmitteddisease. More appropriately, it is concerned with the physical, emotional and even relationalconditions of people. Specifically, male sexual health is focused on a man's ability to have anerection, which is crucial to performing the sexual act. Intimacy in marriage or in deeper,揷physical relations between a man and a woman is normally attached to the issue of having the apacity to perform.? While professional definitions of sexual health goes beyond anatomical

搃and coital discussions, most ordinary men and women attribute the term to acts n thebedroom.? Surely, men will do well to elevate the discussion ofmale sexual health above sexual trivia, positions, and performance. Aside from the obviousneed to be informed about the dangers of sexually transmitted disease, men should also beeducated about the women's sexuality and women's needs. Unlike men, the sexual functionsof women are influenced by a number of factors, and not the normal rise in libido.To access reliable and professional advice regarding sexuality and sexual health, both men andwomen should consider an appointment with a professional counselor or doctor at the nearestsexual health clinic. It is a known fact, especially in poor countries, that what goes around asknowledge about sexual health is nothing short of a myth. Often, young boys and girls rely onthe peer group to get information about sexual health, or about sex itself.But for men, whether they live in a poor country or in a developed nation, sexual problems muststill be addressed by going to a sexual health clinic. Erectile dysfunction is not just a physicalproblem. It is also linked to emotional and psychological distress. While men who sufferfrom erectile dysfunction still have the ability to father a child, they do encounter challenges insustaining their relationships and even their own self-esteem. By getting professional help,men with erectile dysfunction can benefit from science-based information and even medicationssuch as Sildenafil (usually sold under the brand name Viagra), Vardenafil, and Finasteride.Indeed, getting information on how to attain good sexual health need not be as difficult asexcavating Pompeii. Male sexual health is not about achieving the legendary size of Priapusor have circus-like abilities for the most intimate human act. Sexual health is, above all, aboutmaintaining physical health, safety in intimacy, and sustaining good relationships with those welove.Title:Women health reproductiveWord Count:373Summary:Women reproductive health mainly concerns with issues such as infertility, gynecological andother sexually transmitted diseases. These could be treated with methods such as contraceptionand practicing safe sex practices.Keywords:Women reproductive health, women health reproductiveArticle Body:A woman gives birth to a child and therefore she is considered to be the originator of life. She isresponsible for providing a healthy living and her general health as well as women healthreproductive is of prime importance. A rise in number of women death rate because of STD

抰(sexually transmitted diseases) and unintended pregnancies can be overlooked. It isimportant that she goes through safe motherhood while bearing a child or even when shecontributes to other normal duties of life.For this it is important to know that what Women reproductive health is. What factors should beconsidered by a woman for her sexual health? Are methods such as contraception, sterilizationenough to avoid any health hazards to her health?<b> Women Sexual Health ? What health activities to be incorporated?</b>Contraception is way to prevent pregnancy even after a sexual intercourse. Pills, barriermethods such as female condoms, using intra-uterine contraceptive device (IUCD), a plastic orcopper device fitted in the womb of a women are some of the common ways to avoidunintended pregnancies.<b> Health Hazards- </b> Infertility: Infertility is the disability of a woman where she isunable to conceive even after performing sexual intercourse. It happens when she has abnormalmenstrual cycles,Feels pain while sexual intercourse or has passed through a chronic illness or miscarriage.<b> Other Diseases: </b> Chlamydia, Endometriosis is some diseases that causeinflammation or burning sensation in cervix and other fertility and reproduction relatedproblems. Sometimes these diseases cause internal bleeding and injury.Methods such as contraception, sterilization are taken for safety from sexually transmitteddiseases and hazards but one should always be careful that having unsafe sex with morepartners would lead to any of the deadly diseases.<b> Treatments- </b> Infertility could be treated by way of Donor In-Vitro Fertilization抯whereby eggs from a female donor are fertilized in a laboratory with a male sperm and thentransplanted into recipient uterus. Other forms are medication through birth control pills andother fertility drugs. Ovulation Induction uses fertility drugs with the help of artificialinsemination to stimulate development of egg.Visit our recommended website for more information <ahref=\"http://www.womensreproductivehealth.info\">womensreproductivehealth.info</a>