Jacob Christensen

• The Commonwealth Fund – The Swiss and Dutch Health Insurance Systems: Universal Coverage and Regulated Competitive Insurance Markets
  This paper provides an overview of the Swiss and Dutch insurance systems, which embody some of the same concepts that have guided health reforms adopted in Massachusetts and considered by other states and by federal policymakers. The two systems have many features in common: an individual mandate, standardized basic benefits, a tightly regulated insurance market, and funding schemes that make coverage affordable for low- and middle-income families. Differences include degree of centralization, basis of competition among insurers, availability of managed care, and reliance on patient cost-sharing to influence care-seeking behavior.
  (tags: healthcare publicpolicy usa netherlands Switzerland)

Michael Naumann of Die Zeit makes an interesting comparison:

Der Mann ist eben nicht nur hochintelligent, er ist nicht nur ein fabelhafter Redner, er hat das Herz auch ganz offenkundig am rechten Flick, sondern er ist auch ein ganz großartiger Schriftsteller. So etwas ist außerordentlich selten in der Politik, stellte sich bei Bismarck heraus, der ein fabelhaftes Deutsch schrieb.

Full transcription of the interview and podcast at Deutschlandradio.