[rapala]

>I-don't-want-to-pay-for-others != I will not insure my health.

But it is. Insurance works by pooling money from a group of people where only few are going to use it.

>People never ask "So, what does this drug/treatment cost?" but rather "Do you accept my insurance?"

Which makes sense, as survival and physical and mental well-being are humans primary needs.

[kgwgk]

Health insurance is not really insurance, though. Not only "a few" are going to use it. If auto insurance worked in the same way people would expect it to pay for oil changes, new tires, and other car maintenance expenses.

[geomark]

Was wondering when someone would say this. It always boggles my mind reading the discussions about "insurance". It's what Americans have become used to calling insurance even though much of it isn't insurance at all.

[wav-part]

> But it is. Insurance works by pooling money from a group of people where only few are going to use it.

Except not everyone paying the same amount. Most pay nothing. That is, in socialist health care system.

And I am not just refering to insurance but also investment toward better medical education. If there is medical advancement going on then we have to collectively make sure that we all get it at good price. I am advocating more proactiviness toward our own health rather than rely on government to do it. But sadly government interference make this very difficult.

[kensai]

> Except not everyone paying the same amount. Most pay nothing. That is, in socialist health care system.

Ehm, the national health care systems in Europe are paid by our taxes. The only persons who do not pay to them are those that are entitled NOT to pay (below poverty level, children, etc).

[Broken_Hippo]

Here even folks below the poverty level pay a little bit on the VAT taxes and so on, as do children. (Even if the money they are spending originated with the taxpayers)