Absolutely. And if you're lucky enough to find a job with good health coverage, you can end up working at something you loath for life, because insurance is THAT important. [/div][div]That's it exactly. Most people are scared to be without health insurance, and the average person can't afford it on their own. If you can afford to pay for your own health insurance then you probably own a well-to-do company.... which means you don't really need to buy your own health insurance. Brilliant setup.
So the end result is that most people are beholden to a job -any job- where they can get health insurance. Most people are basically terrorized by the need to have health insurance (and they should be, with what it costs here).
I made a conscious decision a few years ago to get off the gird a bit, get out of that "loop" where you're expected to work for someone else until you die or retire. Retiring is almost unheard of these days, what with the way so many pension funds have been looted by various corporate entities through creative accounting.
But if you're lower-middle class, even making $8 or $10 an hour, you can fall into that shitty place where you make too much for the govt to help you, but not enough to pay for individual health insurance and still cover the rent and whatnot. Then you just cross your fingers and pray that you never need to visit the hospital...
Yup. I believe the majority of people in the US have little or no health care coverage. I don't. In my case it's the result of a choice, but that doesn't excuse the US country from doing what every other civilised country in the world does- provide real healthcare for its citizens. It's f*cking shameful.
And remember, this is my first time, so be gentle. (Well, not too gentle.)