Health Care--a Model for Obama's Worries

Two weekends ago (yes, I fail at being prompt to write, which I attribute to the growing indifference and apathy I'm slowly collecting every additional day from work. Others have it worse though,)

Two weekends ago I caught a cold. Some claim it's the aftershock of the festival season, which I refuse to admit as that would indicate that I'm not capable of keeping up with the Germans.
Being knocked out of work for five days, my frustration and pain reached the level where I abandoned home remedies and sought out to visit the doctor. My mentality is that of an American where we expect an exorbitant fee and overpriced, under-effective prescription prices on top of which.

Germany, however, has a beautiful health care system. The doctor asked for 10 Euro (1 Euro = $1.5.) I later learned that that $15 is good for 3 months! Further, if I transfer to a different doctor within that time, they will wire my $15 to the new guy and I'll be free of the charge.

The doctor was the first hurdle overcome, next followed the prescriptions. Penicillin as an antibiotic (while I thought it to be rather outdated, much like everything in the doctor's office, for $15 I didn't need anything cutting edge) and something for the sore throat pain. The pharmacist is directly across the street from my apartment and I bring in the two forms. She finds the medication immediately and I needn't wait more than 30 seconds. Then my anxiety rises as I wait for the bill.
"6.50 Euro" she requests from me.
Unfortunately, I laughed in her face. I worry this may have come off rude, but then after she asked what the problem was, I respond, "the price!"
"too low or too high?" her inquiry continues.
"Too low!" I exclaim.
And after talking to a German pharmacist friend of mine, she reveled in my excitement and courtesy as people typically complain to no end about the outrageous prices. I was ready for a bill around $70. And to hear less than 10% of that simply lifted my spirits and helped the healing process.

Obama, come talk to Angie again (Angela Merkel, the German leader) and figure out how she does it.

Later Days,
Rick

P.S. I will add the realist bit that I as a "poor student" already pay 100 Euro a month for health insurance and, if I had a real job, would pay twice that.