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Your case seems to be a consequence of how healthcare works in America (insurance). For those of us lucky enough to be in good health, the "Gig economy" as-des

Your case seems to be a consequence of how healthcare works in America (insurance). For those of us lucky enough to be in good health, the "Gig economy" as-described would be just fine.

cheriot 7y ago
> For those of us lucky enough to be in good health It's a common refrain that only people with health problems need health care, but that's just not true. Risk has a price. That's why health care and life insurance for healthy people is not free. Good health just makes it easier to pretend that risk isn't there. Tying health care to employment is a historical accident long overdue for change.
- WalterBright 7y ago
  > Tying health care to employment is a historical accident long overdue for change. Ironically, it came about because of wage freezes imposed by the government during WW2. Employers had to find something to offer to attract workers, and employer-paid insurance did the trick. The trap, though, was that employer paid insurance was paid with pre-tax dollars, while if you bought it yourself you'd pay in post-tax dollars, making it far more expensive.
  - cheriot 7y ago
    That's an interesting tidbit of history. Thanks
  - erik_seaberg 7y ago
    Also adverse selection. Healthy people are tempted to only pay for catastrophic or no coverage, so a lot of individual policy buyers are sicker than the average employee in a group policy (because large companies cover everyone).
- moduspol 7y ago
  > Tying health care to employment is a historical accident long overdue for change. This, 100%. It wouldn't solve everything, but it'd be a huge positive step to roll back tax incentives that encourage this.
SirHound 7y ago
You have no idea when that good luck will run out
fiblye 7y ago
And good drivers can save lots of cash and worries by simply not getting car insurance. Health insurance’s main alleged draw is that shit happens when you least expect it, and you can avoid the massive costs when the unexpected happens (accidents, cancer, botulism, whatever). Unfortunately, someone in America found out you can charge monthly fees for health insurance while still making the person pay massive amounts themselves. Just promise they’ll pay a slightly less massive amount.
- hdfbdtbcdg 7y ago
  > And good drivers can save lots of cash and worries by simply not getting car insurance. Only if they are rich enough to post a rather large bond.
michaelmrose 7y ago
Good health is a temporary condition. Everyone eventually craps out. If you only buy health insurance when you are old and or sick then you wont be able to afford it when you need it.
ivanhoe 7y ago
Your health is of very little significance if you get in a traffic accident, for instance. Or you fall and break something. Or get hurt in training. Or get bitten by lyme disease carrying tick. Etc...

Your case seems to be a consequence of how healthcare works in America (insurance). For those of us lucky enough to be in good health, the "Gig economy" as-described would be just fine.

cheriot 7y ago

> For those of us lucky enough to be in good health It's a common refrain that only people with health problems need health care, but that's just not true. Risk has a price. That's why health care and life insurance for healthy people is not free. Good health just makes it easier to pretend that risk isn't there. Tying health care to employment is a historical accident long overdue for change.

WalterBright 7y ago
> Tying health care to employment is a historical accident long overdue for change. Ironically, it came about because of wage freezes imposed by the government during WW2. Employers had to find something to offer to attract workers, and employer-paid insurance did the trick. The trap, though, was that employer paid insurance was paid with pre-tax dollars, while if you bought it yourself you'd pay in post-tax dollars, making it far more expensive.
- cheriot 7y ago
  That's an interesting tidbit of history. Thanks
- erik_seaberg 7y ago
  Also adverse selection. Healthy people are tempted to only pay for catastrophic or no coverage, so a lot of individual policy buyers are sicker than the average employee in a group policy (because large companies cover everyone).
moduspol 7y ago
> Tying health care to employment is a historical accident long overdue for change. This, 100%. It wouldn't solve everything, but it'd be a huge positive step to roll back tax incentives that encourage this.

SirHound 7y ago

You have no idea when that good luck will run out

fiblye 7y ago

And good drivers can save lots of cash and worries by simply not getting car insurance. Health insurance’s main alleged draw is that shit happens when you least expect it, and you can avoid the massive costs when the unexpected happens (accidents, cancer, botulism, whatever). Unfortunately, someone in America found out you can charge monthly fees for health insurance while still making the person pay massive amounts themselves. Just promise they’ll pay a slightly less massive amount.

hdfbdtbcdg 7y ago
> And good drivers can save lots of cash and worries by simply not getting car insurance. Only if they are rich enough to post a rather large bond.

michaelmrose 7y ago

Good health is a temporary condition. Everyone eventually craps out. If you only buy health insurance when you are old and or sick then you wont be able to afford it when you need it.

ivanhoe 7y ago

Your health is of very little significance if you get in a traffic accident, for instance. Or you fall and break something. Or get hurt in training. Or get bitten by lyme disease carrying tick. Etc...