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I think the best argument I've heard for universal health care (and I'd like ST to analyze it for holes) is that it makes for a more efficient labor

Posted by ty97 Jun 28 '12, 10:39

market and therefore stronger economy.

Under our current model, people are afraid to leave their jobs because they won't be insured, could go bankrupt in an emergency, and have pre-existing conditions denied coverage later (that part is changing thankfully). Thus, people will cling to jobs that are mismatches for their skill sets, just to remain covered.

With universal healthcare, people will feel more free to jump jobs or get the additional education they may need. This will result in better matches of people to positions.

Responses:

It's a valid point, but hardly the best argument. The best argument is that everyone gets the health care they need, rather than only the lucky people -- nm - mara Jun 28, 10:44 13
- Ah, the lucky. We should raise taxes on 4-leaf clovers and rabbit feet. -- nm - Dr.Vermin Jun 28, 10:54
- People fundamentally disagree on that reasoning though. I don't see how anyone could disagree with the economic argument (if it holds) -- nm - ty97 Jun 28, 10:47 9
  - I don't buy it. Health care is key, but people wouldn't job switch just because it's there. Current COBRA rules already make job swithing possible. - musubi Jun 28, 10:48 8
    - I don't leave my job because COBRA *sucks* and is insanely expensive. -- nm - JaxSean Jun 28, 10:50 6
      - If you had another job lined up, you wouln't switch? Despite COBRA covering you in the interim? - musubi Jun 28, 10:53
      - you mean 800 bucks a month for your own insurance is expensive? - groiny Jun 28, 10:51 4
        
        And you're unemployed. -- nm - JaxSean Jun 28, 10:52 3
        
        But that's why you don't *QUIT*, not why you won't switch to a better suited job. (nm) - musubi Jun 28, 10:53 1
        
        Ok, but then you still usually have to wait a month (or 2) for the new insurance to kick in. - JaxSean Jun 28, 10:55
        
        well, assume, like me, your spouse works but has no insurance through work. - groiny Jun 28, 10:53
    - Ah, I forgot about COBRA. Now I know. ...and knowing is half the battle. -- nm - Dr.Vermin Jun 28, 10:50
- I agree with this. The economic arguement isn't job-switching, but preventative care being more encouraged and thus improving productivity. - musubi Jun 28, 10:46
- You're right, mara. -- nm - Don Homer Jun 28, 10:45
I agree with 97. I've long said that the only way I'd ever get married is if I needed healthcare. (more people are married in the - amanda Jun 28, 10:42
You know why I don't leave my job? Because there aren't other jobs - oblique Jun 28, 10:40 5
- but you could contract -- be a part of the gig economy. freelance and make *more* per hour. -- nm - amanda Jun 28, 10:42
- Yeah, I'm sure ty's point is valid, but I don't think that's a sizable group of people. -- nm - Dr.Vermin Jun 28, 10:42 2
  - I don't know - how many Americans have a chronic condition? And how many of them rely on their employer for insurance? - Roger More Jun 28, 10:55
  - This is probably the big interest point to me: Can we measure how much of a difference it would make? - ty97 Jun 28, 10:43
- surely, you know people who only work for the insurance benefits? nm -- nm - groiny Jun 28, 10:42

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I think the best argument I've heard for universal health care (and I'd like ST to analyze it for holes) is that it makes for a more efficient labor

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