It's like opting out of vaccinations for fatal/life-threatening diseases. As long as you don't contract that disease, you'll be fine and patting yourself on th

It's like opting out of vaccinations for fatal/life-threatening diseases. As long as you don't contract that disease, you'll be fine and patting yourself on the back regarding your prudence at avoiding unnecessary vaccinations/mercury/whatever. But you have no way of knowing when and if you will be exposed to the infectious agents of that disease and, in many cases, have little to no control over whether that happens. Young people generally have fewer health issues than older people. That's great until you discover that you happen to be one of those young people who do have a serious health issue. Also, you gradually get a little less young with each passing moment and the wake-up call that you need health coverage may end up being a preexisting condition that then won't be covered by many insurers in a private, profit-driven system.