Good try kids

The National Review on health insurance:

People worry that if they switch jobs, they will lose their health insurance. They worry that their company will cut back on health benefits. Universal coverage is not necessary to address these worries. Making it possible for individuals to own their health-insurance policies themselves, rather than getting them through their companies, would solve the problem. It would also reduce the political momentum behind socialized medicine.

Here’s the one flaw in the plan. If my employer doesn’t have to provide health insurance anymore, do you really think they’re going to let me see the difference? No, they’re going to keep that money and I’m stuck trying to figure out how to pay another ridiculously expensive bill every month.

Not that I think government mandated health care is the answer. I understand that a plumber charges $75.00/hour so $60.00 for a doctor visit isn’t unreasonable, but there has to be some way to make it more affordable. We all know that when it rains, it pours so it’s never just a doctor visit. It’s a visit, some tests, more visits and finally, you have ebola, nice knowing you. Meanwhile you aren’t making any money because you can’t get to work because you’re bleeding out every orifice.

I have had jobs where I hated holidays because they were all unpaid and that meant a full day (or two!) of no pay, which meant I was short that much more money that month. Money I couldn’t afford to be short if I wanted to keep eating and driving and living under a roof. What I’m trying to say is you can’t just shove it out on the individual, you have to make it more affordable, somehow. Beats me how, I don’t think the government footing the bill is the answer, but one of those brain trusts will have to figure that part out.