Comment by phyller | Hacker News Reader

Comment by phyller | Hacker News Reader

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My point around the healthcare was that, yes it's an issue, no it's not really an issue for the HN crowd. If you are some sort of programmer/engineer, and want good healthcare, you can get it. And you will avoid making foolish decisions around it, and don't need people to make all your choices for you.

I ran my own small business, provided great healthcare for myself and a couple of employees, and managed to have good healthcare after I shut the company down and was unemployed for a while. I had to do a little research and make a couple good decisions, then it wasn't an issue. And that was before the Affordable Care Act, which provides free healthcare in many states for people who can't afford it.

The one thing is, if you are not working for a decent company, yes, you have to think about it and prepare for it before hand, it isn't all taken care for you without you doing anything. So I say, for the vast majority of people on HN it's not that bad.

And worst comes to worst, you are being irresponsible or have fallen through the cracks, and you get into a car accident, the hospital is going to take care of you anyway.

I ran my own small business, provided great healthcare for myself and a couple of employees, and managed to have good healthcare after I shut the company down and was unemployed for a while. I had to do a little research and make a couple good decisions, then it wasn't an issue. And that was before the Affordable Care Act, which provides free healthcare in many states for people who can't afford it.

Well, in my state the individual market is tied to the state healthcare marketplace, and all of these are PPOs. At the worst, you'll pay $1200 a month for a plan whereby you have to stick to a finite network, and get approval every time from the primary care provider. And there's still a several thousand-dollar deductible. Even if I chose to offer $2000 a month for a plan that's a more open one, there's nowhere to give that money to someone.

I consider that a barrier to innovation / entrepreneurship because many people don't want to quit cushy jobs as employees for a situation like that.

Yea, well that is the result of our more socialized system. My better health care plan was canceled when the affordable care act was implemented, and I had to get a worse one. These government healthcare systems (which, long story, I happen to be on now, I don't pay a cent) are even worse. You want to see someone, you need to get permission. First, get in line to get permission, then get in line to actually get the specialist. And there is no option to do it any other way. So I don't see how the European systems solve these problems. At least in the US, in some places, we still have choice.

In Sweden you don't really have a plan. Everyone is covered regardless including basic sick pay. You can have zero income, pay zero taxes and file zero forms and still be covered like everyone else. The maximum co-pay per year including everything (treatment, hospital, rehab, equipment, medication etc.) is $300 per year. Some other European systems are more like "US light" where you have to qualify and choose. Some employers in Sweden will cover private treatment, vaccinations and more extensive sick pay (you already get 80% of x1.5 of median income if you are employed). But it isn't really required.

This is one of those misconceptions that’s constantly stated by Americans which couldn’t be further from the truth. I know, because I am an American and used to think that. Having lived in the UK for the last 7 years, yes for noncritical issues or elective procedures, you may have to wait a couple of weeks for an appointment (acute care is excellent by the way), but you always have a choice. You can pay for your own private insurance which is extremely affordable compared to the USA and go nuts if you want, or you can wait for the free care. It’s a better system, full stop. America is literally nuts with regards to healthcare.

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