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Re:China Overtakes U.S. For First Time as Top Spender on R&D... by Buttons840 on Monday October 12, 2026 @11:37PM (#50066324)
Doesn't China have better social programs? They have universal healthcare.
Re:China Overtakes U.S. For First Time as Top Spender on R&D... by bradthebeaverfa on Monday October 12, 2026 @11:43PM (#50066374)
No? Chinese people have to work 6 days a week for a lower quality of living than a minimum wage American.
Re:China Overtakes U.S. For First Time as Top Spender on R&D... by Buttons840 on Tuesday October 13, 2026 @12:04AM (#50066533)
China has labor laws similar to the US. 40 hour work weeks, extra pay for overtime or for having to work weekends. They just don't enforce them very well. That's what my research tells me anyway, am I wrong?
Re:China Overtakes U.S. For First Time as Top Spender on R&D... by olyjohn on Tuesday October 13, 2026 @12:55AM (#50066894)
You are not wrong about the laws, but people are working in factories doing 12 hour days 7 days a week. Yes they get overtime, but that's because you can't even afford to live with a roommate in run down company dorms on a standard 5 day work week. Its still slave labor over there. This amount of work nets workers about $1000USD per month, and this is in foreign owned factories which are much more regulated than the locally owned ones.
Re:China Overtakes U.S. For First Time as Top Spender on R&D... by seanmcdirmid on Monday October 12, 2026 @11:51PM (#50066428)
If you work in China, you get their universal healthcare but you still need a private insurance policy. It’s hard to explain though, you wouldn’t be completely up sh*t creek without a private policy, but some things become really inconvenient, and the standard of care is different (bring your own nurse in the public plan).

China sort has welfare but the hukou system means most people who need it don't qualify in the city they live in.

Re:China Overtakes U.S. For First Time as Top Spender on R&D... by mc32 on Monday October 12, 2026 @11:54PM (#50066448)
No they don't:

If you work, you automatically get enrolled in a hybrid healthcare system (state+private)

If you are young or elderly you get automatic coverage.

If you are working age but have no job --then you get basic healthcare (not comprehensive)

Lots of people who can afford will buy private insurance on top if they have a serious illness (basic healthcare is not comprehensive)

Also copays and high deductibles. People can end up footing 20 to 50% of their medical bills (out of pocket).

Re:China Overtakes U.S. For First Time as Top Spender on R&D... by handle584 on Tuesday October 13, 2026 @05:05AM (#50068760)
Pretty spot on for most urban ppl, a few comments

- Private insurance is always up to one's own, very few employers provide this.

- If young, your parents or yourself have to pay for coverage until you graduate, otherwise no coverage.

- If elderly, depends on your employment history. To qualify, your employers have to contribute continuously for decades and it's tied with social security. Otherwise you are on your own.

- If working age but no job, similar to being young you have to pay.