this post was submitted on 04 Aug 2023
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Having lived and worked in both the UK and US, yes I pay roughly 4% less "tax" in the US.
but, as I didn't have to pay for Healthcare, and my student loans payments were a percentage of my earnings — vs the amount I've had to pay for Healthcare, copay, scripts, etc here. If we actually compare like for like and assume that Healthcare payments are only not called a tax out of a semantic convention for political reasons despite being practically a tax by nearly any definition - I've pay way more in """"tax"""" in the US.
Assuming the average person earns roughly $65k, would you pay an extra $200 for 100% fully covered, fully comprehensive, $0 co-pay, you walk in (to your nearest hospital, no need to check if they're in network) get an x-ray, a blood test, your appendix removed, stay over night, go back the next day for kidney dialysis or chemotherapy and pay nothing more than that monthly extra $200/rate in perpetuity? Especially as the average cost is $456 (+ co pay) for Healthcare and that usually isn't a "good" let alone the "best" package.
God I wish I lived in a country with that kind of medical system.
I'm sick of being afraid of getting hurt (enough to need to visit a doctor at a hospital) not because of the injury to my body but the unknowable-ahead-of-time-and-might-also-bankrupt-you bill.
Fuck the selfish people in this country who are ruining it for everyone because they don't want "undeserving" people getting free healthcare! Drives me bonkers!!!
I'll add that I also wish I could go to the doctor anytime for any reason even if it's just for a big particular pimple or a wart, and not have to think about the bill.
Not have to think is this worth spending $100+ on when it may go away on its own, or that I should just Google it instead of going to an actual doctor so I can save that money instead. This is WITH insurance btw. This is 10 fold worse with no insurance.
Germany is currently in the process of changing the healthcare system because it can’t be paid anymore. People paying no tax but going to the hospital and to the doctors for every little issue actually did destroy the system. Similar is happening with other “benefits”. People do not understand that these things aren’t actually free.