3 ms·
I think the comparison to Red Cross/Red Crescent is not quite up to the point: my impression is that, for some things that Europeans see as a matter to be regul
by sqrt17 12y ago
I think the comparison to Red Cross/Red Crescent is not quite up to the point: my impression is that, for some things that Europeans see as a matter to be regulated (i.e., force health insurances to include "expensive" patients in their coverage, have the state provide subsidies) people in the US rely on local communities (churches, clubs) or their social network. Hence the notion of "paying it forward": by giving to your community, the community acts as an insurance and is likely to reciprocate if or when you are in a bad position.
This is why, for many people, it's a big deal to be an atheist: if the main community for you is the church, you're not just foregoing religious and moral support, but also the material kind.
It's certainly an understandable reaction to point out that the problem is bigger than one person on giveitforward.org, and that the US health insurance system with insurers being given cheap excuses like coverage ending with your employment contract (rendering your health coverage useless whenever you have a severe disease) or allowing insurers to retroactively (sometimes by 10 or 20 years) invoke a preexisting-condition clause means that many more people have to beg the last months of subsistence off of their friends, family, and community. Or just sit in a corner and die, if they're not well-connected socially.
- AndrewKemendo 12y agoTo further clarify my point though, not giving to this cause won't impact how US health care is managed, it only doesn't help this individual. If thousands of very public uninsured and preventable deaths have happened without a change this likely won't make the difference Not that abstaining is reprehensible
- nilsimsa 12y agoJust to let you know that with Obamacare, a few things have changed. Now if you lose coverage through your employer, you can get it through a state market for health insurance. Also pre-existing conditions are no longer allowed for consideration. But affordability may still be an issue for some.