DISQUS

Travis · 11 months ago

I took a little action by starting an HSA (Health Savings Account). I have basic health insurance with a high deductible but have a savings account that is non-taxable as long as I use the money for health expenses of my choosing. I can see the doctor I want, pay what I want, and save the amount I want. This option puts the consumer back in control and is useful for young people that don't have large medical problems.

Also, my experience in New Zealand was amazing. Everyone is covered under accident insurance. They figured out the annual expense of legal action (for the country) concerning accidents and then chose to invest that money in providing accident insurance and found that it was a lower cost than the money spent in litigation! Brilliant. I received two nights in the hospital, drugs, and visits to my home every three days from a nurse for two weeks for FREE! No cost to me. And I wasn't even a citizen (did pay income tax while I was there). Everyone is covered. Even tourists.

As far as how does in work in capitalism? Not sure. New Zealand has about 1.4 million residents. Not easy to translate to the US. So what works there may not work here. But I know that if you have a certain income bracket you can qualify to purchase your own, additional, private insurance. Capitalist and socialist health care coexisting. Kind of like a gated community that still has to share it's fire department and police force with the ghetto. Hmmmmmm and our country isn't socialist at all........