Why the Hell do we in the USA connect our jobs to our healthcare?

@ossobuco,

fear of socialism plays better as a defense.

nobody wants to admit to greed...

@ossobuco,

I've often wondered to why it is the way it is in the US.

Here in the Socialist Republic of Australia we've had universal health insurance since the mid 1970s
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicare_(Australia)

How I miss the days when you could die because you were poor, from treatable conditions, with freedom from government intervention.

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Robert Gentel had a post on health care in Costa Rica re state hospitals that made sense to me. That was probably two years ago. Not to speak for him since my memory is flawed and I don't have a link, I took him as saying for that as a way for the u.s. to go. Not that other med care would not be available, but there would be substantial care for all, not by insurance but actual hospitals.

It's sort of excruciating for me, now a 21st century woman, to see us billionating on war or sort of war fronts, while people are scraping by, not affording medical care. I guess it would be tragic for the defense contractors to deflate re income.

Our health stats are gonna go down. Should I add a wink? but it's not funny.

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@ossobuco,

This short paper agrees that 'socialism' was the historical aversion to universal healthcare:
http://www.sciencescribe.net/articles/The_Evolution_of_the_U.S._Healthcare_System.pdf

And I stuffed up a little - what we have in USSRstralia is universal 'healthcare' not universal 'health insurance'

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@Rockhead,

Rockhead wrote:

"I thanked God every day I had good affordable insurance through my job. It was the only reason I stayed there the last 5 years out of the 13 total I was there."

what percentage of folks can get those kind of jobs, and is that fair to us as a society?

I've never had a job that didn't work that way. I honestly didn't think that was unusual. Is it?
Don't most employers kick in for at least part of their employees premiums? It's a cost of doing business, and is a deducted off profits as a business expense.

I never thought at all that it was about the company getting some kind of special rate, although they do I'm sure.

Every job I've applied for includes insurance in its benefit package.

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@chai2,

I know I called you a princess once before, Chai, and forget why, but probably similar reasons.

You live in a circumscribed world.
Look around.

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@ossobuco,

ossobuco wrote:

I know I called you a princess once before, Chai, and forget why, but probably similar reasons.

You live in a circumscribed world.
Look around.

You know, there are so many ways I could respond to that, but frankly, you're not worth it.

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@djjd62,

Taunting canadians are annoying. (I considered moving there, dj, it couldn't work)

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@chai2,

So it goes.

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@chai2,

That's the good thing about insurance through the company. The insurance company has to accept everyone, at one group rate. I was with one that did offer dental at some extra cost. This would probably not work outside of work or other group. People with long term conditions would line up for it; they would have to jack up the rates to cover costs, and the healthy people would be put off by the high rates relative to the benefits they could expect.

I had forgotten all that when I proposed cutting the employer out of the deal. Still, I do think everyone should get the same tax treatment on health insurance. Either it's a deduction for everyone, or no one.

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@chai2,

large corporations do it. (although walmart just made theirs harder to access, and more expensive)

small businesses would like to be able to do it.

some are deathly afraid to have to do it...

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@chai2,

as a matter of fact, I've not worked for anyone that offered insurance in over 20 years...

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@Rockhead,

Me either, more like thirty.

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@chai2,

Chai, you are now in the minority if your employer offers good health care, it's a thing of the past for most American companies. Are you still looking for a job? The fact that you cost your previous employer high insurance rates might make a another company decide not hire you. Insurance companies all compare notes and you will end up on a high risk list, like Rockhead. No employer will hire someone who they think will push their current rates higher. You're also over 50, if I've paid attention. Companies with good health insurance hate hiring people over 50. That age groups is ar more likely to get sick than say a 35 year old. Companies can't come out and say it, but you become a pariah at that age for any company paying your possible medical expenses. Yes, companies do get a special rate and it's usually tied to how healthy the employees stay. If you've cost some company big bucks in the past it is going to make it harder for you to find a job now.

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In 2007, 71% off all workers in the private sector had access to employer sponsored health insurance (dental and eye were much less, but 71% for health)

In 2008, of the approx 121 million private sector workers, it was pretty much 50/50 between employers above and below 500 workers.

Am I correct in stating with the new law employers with over 50 employees will have to offer insurance?

Perhaps premiums would go down if there wasn't so much unnecessary testing and procedures.
I myself have stared blankly at my very good doctor for wanting to do a test on me, thinking "really?"

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@Green Witch,

Green Witch wrote:

Chai, you are now in the minority if your employer offers good health care, it's a thing of the past for most American companies. Are you still looking for a job? The fact that you cost your previous employer high insurance rates might make a another company decide not hire you. Insurance companies all compare notes and you will end up on a high risk list, like Rockhead. No employer will hire someone who they think will push their current rates higher. You're also over 50, if I've paid attention. Companies with good health insurance hate hiring people over 50. That age groups is ar more likely to get sick than say a 35 year old. Companies can't come out and say it, but you become a pariah at that age for any company paying your possible medical expenses. Yes, companies do get a special rate and it's usually tied to how healthy the employees stay. If you've cost some company big bucks in the past it is going to make it harder for you to find a job now.

I'm not worried.
and I don't feel I'm in some privileged minority.

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@chai2,

You actually should worry. If you look at statistics the odds of you getting hired at a good job with bennies is really low because of your age. A lot of that rejection is tied to health insurance. I don't know about you, but I find that really sad and it's all because we've allowed The Nanny Corporation to control what should be a human right. Every working American needs to pay into a system that covers every American.

Why the Hell do we in the USA connect our jobs to our healthcare?

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