If universal healthcare was standard in the United States, would you be more likely to be self-employed/operate your own business?

[Emiliamazing]

[Ill_made_Knight]

IT would certainly remove a LOT of the worry of not working for a company that offers the opportunity to pay less for health coverage as a benefit. It would also make changing jobs in general a lot less scary. Consider this example... you work your entire life and pay for health insurance from age 16 at your first job all those years until some corporation ships your job overseas with little warning, or cuts you for being too highly paid at say... age 48. Finding something new at this age that PAYS well is not easy. All the money you basically GIFTED those insurance companies for all those years you never needed a doctor was pure profit for them. Now you're at the age where health issues are more likely... You have benefitted the system for literally decades, but the system understands that you will soon be needing a return on your investment... and it spits you out. The US is the ONLY modern country in the world that does not view health care as a human right. This country is a brutal place for the elderly in many cases.

[Sixgunsound]

Slavery ended in the US in the year 1865, at least until the Democrats reinvented it and called it welfare. You cannot force a doctor or nurse to use the skills they paid to acquire for for anyone else’s benefit uncompensated. You cannot ethically rob Peter to pay Paul. The income I derive from my labor is not yours by right.

[Sixgunsound]

If you really want to make it easier for the elderly in this country, you would be vastly more interested in destroying the stranglehold that medical device and pharmaceutical companies have over elected officials. Drugs and devices that cost three dollars to $15 in India cost five to $10,000 in the United States. The biggest gift you could give to senior citizens is fucking big Pharma!

[Ill_made_Knight]

@Sixgunsound yep... the medical industrial complex is out of control. $600 for an insulin pen that cost $6 to produce and you can buy in Canada for $60. As to slavery, being paid by one source or another does not equal slavery. Do you think doctors and nurses and technicians etc. would all be expected to work for FREE? Absolutely ridiculous myth. All national medicine would effectively do is change to a single payer insurance system... the government, they would pay as billed and would be allowed to NEGOTIATE prices. Coincidentally there was a bill that would have allowed medicare to negotiate the price of pharmaceuticals to bring the cost to consumers down. Guess how it was killed... Also what actual benefit does private insurance confer? they provide no service whatsoever other than to gather a pool of people together and charge them a fee for the right to pay to see a doctor who will then charge them some more. These are also the people that will limit which doctor you will be allowed to see because of plan networks... they are also happy to gouge you and then try to deny procedures that are recommended by the doctor for your best outcome... this doesn't even begin to address the savings in clerical cost from having to deal with so many different companies.

[Sixgunsound]

“If you like your doctor you can keep your doctor…”

[Ill_made_Knight]

The price gouging that we see in the US is basically what happens when you allow corporations (they all have the same goal, profit. Not health outcomes. That is what a corporation does) Now let's deregulate all the corporations and allow a "free market" to decide what's best for peoples health... doesn't compute You are a tick on the spreadsheet and the calculation for them is, how many people can we just allow to die from denying claims until it begins losing money.
there is a reason every other civilized country in the world has some form of national health. But the propaganda machine that convinces people that the kind of people that run Amazon or Walmart care about them appear to be pretty effective. The US offers some of the best, most modern healthcare in the world, but that means nothing if a large amount of the citizenry has no access to it because Martin Shkreli would be unhappy about a little bit less profit.

[Sixgunsound]

Also, having been a victim of the veterans affairs, medical system, I would only wish that on a very small number of people, none of whom qualify by serving the country.

[Ill_made_Knight]

with private insurance? ... fairy tale... hogwash

[Sixgunsound]

Competition drops prices to the end-user, government mismanagement raises it.

[Ill_made_Knight]

@Sixgunsound that's obviously not happening here... is it
You don't suppose the oil companies are engaging in price gouging right now simply because they can do you? Same exact thing. No difference between healthcare and a pair of blue jeans to the seller, it's just profit. Your kid is a commodity that these people will milk every last penny out of you for... that's the corporation... that's private medicine

[Sixgunsound]

Start an insurance company then, I don't know what else to tell you. We aren’t going to agree that socialism is better in a world where North Korea and Cuba and Venezuela exist.

[Ill_made_Knight]

@Sixgunsound that's not a realistic comparison to establishing a national healthcare system in the US and you know it. Literally every country in western Europe, many in Asia and also Australia, NZ... and all you have to say is "but I don't wanna be Venezuela"? So glad to hear that you feel that you get to speak for the entire collective "we" that comprises the USA as well... pretty arrogant if ya ask me.

[Sixgunsound]

If I might suggest another, closer reading, you will see that I do not in fact, abrogate the ability to speak for anybody. I pointedly stated we meaning you and I, as there do not seem to be other parties to this conversation. Pretty arrogant of you to assume what I mean when you won’t even read what I said. Thank you for specifying what you meant by your previous nationalistic perspective on what constitutes a “civilized country”.

[Ill_made_Knight]

@Sixgunsound that did need re reading and I do apologize for the mis characterization that you were speaking for all. Not true.
As to the characterization of civilized country I believe it is an extremely common talking point for righties to warn everyone against becoming Venezuela specifically and then invoke Socialism... or Communism... and there was the characterization 45 made of some places being "shithole countries" which are those. Most every country in the world is a mixed economy to some degree or another. If you go for pure capitalism you will achieve something similar to Russia. Full blown oligarchy, nor should one wish for a pure socialism (communism) each ideology thinks it's end result will be a sort of utopia. They are never right... mixed... some things, like healthcare are best served WITHOUT the profit above all else of the corporation. You wanna try and make me pay too much for non essential consumer goods? Knock yourself out. But you wanna rip every last penny out of me for a pill that cost 2 cents to produce because you know I'll give you everything to save "em? That's filthy.

[Sixgunsound]

Thank you for owning that, I respect you significantly more than almost everyone else. I disagree with on here because you can do that. I don’t pretend to be or speak for Trump, however. I don’t even support his party. I am a third-party supporter, specifically libertarian. I’m more in line with Thomas Sowell’s Question how much of someone else’s money is your fair share than I am with a grown man making an age inappropriate comment like shit hole country

[Ill_made_Knight]

@Sixgunsound I can deal with that. We will disagree because we do. It happens. As you claim being no Trumpist, I will also not claim Biden or the Democratic Party... our beliefs are quite far apart I think, but that is a reason for further discussion... They say Americans have a talent for compromise... but there isn't a lot of that about lately. With so many you can't even have a discussion based in reality. If a person refuses to see verifiable facts then there is no basis.
That wasn't the case here... peace... see ya around

[Guy13]

I’m a Business owner so my response is not one of political driven theory like this question. This is Factual.

Neither myself or my vendors from general maintenance to electrician and all in between could not afford the Taxes for universal healthcare. Universal Government Healthcare would drive us all out of Business. Either through Taxes and/or loss of customers for the increased costs to them…Customer is paying the increase to 45% of company income.

[Guy13]

Where do you think the money comes from for Universal Healthcare ⁉️ It will from your grocery cart or social security or paycheck. These poor run and never will get service government healthcare is neither free or efficient. Look 👀 at what the Government Healthcare have done to our Veterans. You want that method and model Universally ⁉️ You’re a Fool if you do..

[Emiliamazing]

Thank you very much for this valid point!

[Guy13]

You are welcomed. Enjoy rest of your weekend.

[JessicaEarl]

No. That would mean my own practice, and making everyone go through government insurance policies would jam me up so badly. I lived in South America and watched this happen all the time. When the government pays for your healthcare, they decide what you get and what you don’t. People live with things like gallstones for years because it’s “not emergent”. There’s 330 million people in the US, and expecting the government to efficiently navigate it for everyone is unrealistic. It’s just too many people to take care of under one organization.

[JessicaEarl]

Woo hoo!

[Rosexøxø]

Maybe. Depends on how it would compare or supersede the employment-offered healthcare.

If it was an exact equivalent. There’d be no affect on me, except for maybe flipping a coin.

If it were better than the one offered by my employer, I’d probably then CONSIDER to open my own business.

I never base my career choices on healthcare or my health. It’s more about what I’d want to do, and then just do it.

[NaultD]

I already have universal healthcare being Alaskan native from native corporations. All i know for certain is I'd be dead without that healthcare. Just slip on Ice and couldn't walk 4 months. Took 5 months fighting my work place insurance to pay up my sick pay i earned for 10 years. Not even the medical bills themselves.

How does "for profit" healthcare earn money? By letting people die alone quietly. Same way car insurance companys only make money from safe drivers.

Healthcare just isn't that simple and should be non profit. The state benefits from people being alive, corporations don't as healthcare providers.

Being alive is a prerequisite of starting a business so I'd say it's a good start. Then not being bankrupt from getting hurt helps insulate any mishaps. Same can be said with good employees and loyal customers getting hurt that will jump back on there feet.

[BeMuse]

Most people don't have chronic illnesses that they are depending on employers to cover with group insurance discounts. Comorbidities tend to creep up on people after they retire and are eligible for medicare. None the less once people's health starts to decline, their rates go up regardless of if their employer. Companies don't offer any real incentive for that. As a self employed person you can easily have a health insurance policy and if you have a a spouse and employees you can create your own group policy for bargaining. The question really doesn't make have any footing. The main flaw in the health insurance system is the Private Health Insurance Act 2007 which allows health insurers to impose a 12 month waiting period on benefits for hospital treatment for pre-existing conditions. If someone needs to switch insurance companies at that point they put themselves at risk.

[Sixgunsound]

No, because I would be taxed to death, and all my hard work and life savings would be set on fire by an overreaching government. Within six months to a year of launching my company, it would be acquired by one of the mega corps that have purchased enough government officials to be a law under themselves.

[Rosexøxø]

Taxed to death

Set on fire

🤣💀

Jesus

[Sixgunsound]

@Rosexøxø and you know they wouldn’t be paying me as much as I spent to start the business. If it were possible to leapfrog over starting businesses and selling them to make a corpse for a profit, then that might be a viable source of income. But the losing proposition of pouring your life savings into a dream and then having that kicked out from under you at significant loss is not sustainable. Make

[Rosexøxø]

Lmao I totally get what you’re saying, but your phrases are hilarious. That just tells me you know how to crack jokes when you want to 🤣👌

[Rosexøxø]

That’s wit right there. 😂👌

I’m sorry lmao very accurate points made, but I can’t get past it 🤣🤣👌

[Sixgunsound]

@Rosexøxø I’m a middle school teacher, we’ve got jokes to cover up our tears

[Rosexøxø]

Aye ayeeee
that’s the spirit 😆👌

[Sixgunsound]

@Rosexøxø 😎😆😅

[RavVid]

In Australia we do have universal health care. If you are unemployed you get a minimum pension. If I start a business and it makes little money initially than all i do is report what i have earn't and I am not going to do worse than that unemployment benefit.

I think it does make you braver and is better overall. I have no fear of health care bills.

[Bricealan]

Emilia, not sure of your question? Would I be MORE likely to be a business owner, if I had my employees covered by Universal Healthcare?

If that is what you are asking, I would say no, since I don't want all of the responsibility of owning my own business and he pressure of payroll, et cetera.

[goaded]

How about going freelance? Even if you can't find work, you'll be covered for health problems.

[genericname85]

well i would say that depends on how exactly the universal healthcare system was financed. in germany we have universal health care. but not in the sense that the state just pays your doctors bills. it's more like "compulsory health insurance". we have 2 different kinds of health insurance. private insurance and public insurance. they differ in the ammount you pay monthly and in how much of the cost you gotta carry yourself if you happen to need treatment.

[genericname85]

for me personally (or in my country), universal health care makes it more tricky to be self employed. but that's just cause there's additional cost you gotta manage that you don't have to worry about if you're emloyed, cause health insurance is basically deducted straight from your gross income so it doesn't even get transferred to your bank account.

[abc3643]

Very good question.
While, for me at my age, the answer is No, generally, the answer would likely be Yes.

[Msputiton]

I wouldn't be more likely.

Because i am already working towards being self employed

[OlderAndWiser]

No. Definitely not!

[bamesjond0069]

I'm already self employed and when I hire people they are all independent contractors because I don't want to deal with anyone's health insurance. That's their problem.

[krin_m]

I think that makes sense on the face of it. It probably will still depend on what quality universal healthcare you get. But in general, I would say yes.

[exitseven]

Nope. I would be trying to amass a fortune in case I ever needed serious health care.

[genericname85]

how so? isn't it the case right now the case that you need to amass a fortune in case you have a health issue? isn't universal health care trying to fix that exact issue?

[exitseven]

@genericname85 No I have good health insurance. I pay extra to get the better plan because my wife is a cancer survivor and we want to be able to go anywhere she wants to get treatment. I got a total hip replacement last year. It took me 2 weeks to see the surgeon and another two weeks to have the surgery. I had 2 months of physical therapy after. I paid a 20 dollar co pay and the rest was paid for by insurance. In Canada or England I would still be on the waiting list.

[genericname85]

i mean where i live, there's "universal health insurance" which basically just means health insurance is compulsory for everyone. and if you want additional sevices, you can get more premium insurance options for yourself. it is just to make sure that everyone has basic coverage and the corona situation showed how great this is, cause then you don't have to think about how you're gonna pay vaccinations and tests for everyone who decided not to get insurance and can't affort any of it.

i mean i had a hernia beginning of this month. got an appointment the same week i noticed that i had it and got surgery the same month. only had to pay 10 bucks for 2 days of hospital food.

[genericname85]

i had a hernia beginning of this year, not month xD

[genericname85]

also if health insurances are compulsory, they have enough power to balance the usury prices of the medical field.

my uncle from america had a heart attack and had to go to ER here in germany for 2 days with no inurance whatsoever (his policy didn't cover international travel). he only paid 2000 bucks for all the treatment, medicine and the hospital bed. in america, that would probably have been 50k.

[goaded]

Why should you need a fortune? Here, an ambulance ride costs 15 Euros, a night in hospital, 10 Euros (and the food's not that bad). You get to choose where you go for treatment (I had a hip operation, keyhole surgery to avoid a replacement, this year. It was in a private clinic, and I had to pay 35 Euros, including 5 for the crutches that I got to keep, the insurance were charged about 5,000). I saw two doctors before the clinic, had an MRI, and that was all included.

Nobody ever goes bankrupt from medical costs in Europe.

[Googlemyahoo]

Taxes pay for healthcare. Want free healthcare expect higher taxes.

[Havthrills]

Nah. I tried it once. Don't think I'll do it again.

[Ashleywonders]

I think so. It would definitely give me a feeling of a sense of security or a safety blanket

[Guardian45]

No, but I might consider moving there.

[CubaPirate]

Luckily I'm British and we have the NHS

[IceCreamSandwich]

Absolutely.

[Anonymous]

Yes.