[varjag]

This idea is not without drawbacks. Mandatory pension systems have a history of being wiped out by extinction events both governmental (USSR et al) and corporate (Kodak and other midcentury megacorps).

It's at least something I guess, but retirement planning is a really really long forecast horizon and is inherently risky.

[blubb-fish]

In Germany the retirement system is far from perfect - but it at least keeps (most) people from being homeless or starving.

The lack of universal health insurance in the USA is basically traceable to the same societal shortcomings. Why should a rich banker support with his premium health insurance for a woman who gets pregnant - as he's not getting pregnant anyway. That's a very egoistical way to look at communal cooperation but at the end of the day the reason for why ACA is being sabotaged by many politicians.

[jazzyk]

I am far from rich, and not a banker.

I assume by "woman" you meant someone who is at or below poverty line, if so, I (and most people) don't have a problem chipping in.

The point you are missing is that right now, 90% of the US population cannot afford to pay for child-birth (or any other medical procedure) themselves (out of pocket), as they typically cost $20K and up.

With a reasonable market- (or single-payer-) based health-care system, most people (except for the poor and almost-poor) would be able to pay for their own health care. The current "system" in the US is a scam of major proportions.