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> [...] in the US you pay or get nothing. Things certainly aren't perfect, but it irks me when everyone thinks they are an expert in US affairs. It may not be

by detst 15y ago

> [...] in the US you pay or get nothing. Things certainly aren't perfect, but it irks me when everyone thinks they are an expert in US affairs. It may not be universal but there absolutely is free (or very cheap) health care available in the US. There are all kinds of programs for the old, young and poor. Otherwise, just about any job will offer health care. Sure, there are people that fall through the cracks and that's a huge problem.

amcintyre 15y ago
It may not be universal but there absolutely is free (or very cheap) health care available in the US. Where might I find this free/very cheap health care?
- detst 15y ago
  Walk into a hospital and demonstrate that you have no money, free clinics, teaching hospitals, Medicaid, finding a kind-hearted doctor that will work for free or for whatever you can afford. Maybe of more concern for people on HN is starting a business and having some minor medical history that is deemed a pre-existing condition and thus being rejected for insurance. In that case, go to http://www.healthcare.gov/ http://www.healthcare.gov/ [1] and you'll find a very reasonably priced plan. Depending on the state, you can find premiums well under $200/month, $20 doctor visits, $10 prescriptions with the deductible waived for most services. That's nothing for most people with the earning-power of the average HN visitor. EDIT: [1]: Just looked for Michigan and aged 25-29, with a pre-existing condition, premiums are $127.44/month.
  - amcintyre 15y ago
    Thanks for the link--I hadn't seen that before. The last time I looked around for health care for myself (many years ago) I don't recall seeing plan prices that low.
_delirium 15y ago
> Otherwise, just about any job will offer health care. Many do, but it's no longer the case that "just about any job" does. 59% of Americans have some sort of employer-based coverage, and that includes people who get it through their spouses or parents. Small businesses in particular are rapidly dropping coverage (according to this random article, only 1/3 of small businesses in Wisconsin offer any, down from 50% a decade ago: http://www.jsonline.com/business/124753109.html http://www.jsonline.com/business/124753109.html).
- philwelch 15y ago
  Self-employed individuals also qualify as "small businesses", so I'm not sure if that statistic reflects existing businesses dropping health coverage or new, often 1-person businesses popping into existence without setting up health coverage.
Symmetry 15y ago
Interestingly enough, the US government spends about the same per capita on providing free healthcare as the UK government does - but to only something like only 2/5 of the US population.
nkassis 15y ago
You are right there are options that are free. Community health clinics and such. But those things are such basic health services it doesn't cover nearly enough to compare to what a public health system covers.

by detst 15y ago

amcintyre 15y ago

It may not be universal but there absolutely is free (or very cheap) health care available in the US. Where might I find this free/very cheap health care?

detst 15y ago
Walk into a hospital and demonstrate that you have no money, free clinics, teaching hospitals, Medicaid, finding a kind-hearted doctor that will work for free or for whatever you can afford. Maybe of more concern for people on HN is starting a business and having some minor medical history that is deemed a pre-existing condition and thus being rejected for insurance. In that case, go to http://www.healthcare.gov/ http://www.healthcare.gov/ [1] and you'll find a very reasonably priced plan. Depending on the state, you can find premiums well under $200/month, $20 doctor visits, $10 prescriptions with the deductible waived for most services. That's nothing for most people with the earning-power of the average HN visitor. EDIT: [1]: Just looked for Michigan and aged 25-29, with a pre-existing condition, premiums are $127.44/month.
- amcintyre 15y ago
  Thanks for the link--I hadn't seen that before. The last time I looked around for health care for myself (many years ago) I don't recall seeing plan prices that low.

_delirium 15y ago

> Otherwise, just about any job will offer health care. Many do, but it's no longer the case that "just about any job" does. 59% of Americans have some sort of employer-based coverage, and that includes people who get it through their spouses or parents. Small businesses in particular are rapidly dropping coverage (according to this random article, only 1/3 of small businesses in Wisconsin offer any, down from 50% a decade ago: http://www.jsonline.com/business/124753109.html http://www.jsonline.com/business/124753109.html).

philwelch 15y ago
Self-employed individuals also qualify as "small businesses", so I'm not sure if that statistic reflects existing businesses dropping health coverage or new, often 1-person businesses popping into existence without setting up health coverage.

Symmetry 15y ago

Interestingly enough, the US government spends about the same per capita on providing free healthcare as the UK government does - but to only something like only 2/5 of the US population.

nkassis 15y ago

You are right there are options that are free. Community health clinics and such. But those things are such basic health services it doesn't cover nearly enough to compare to what a public health system covers.