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Re:Ask HN: If you didn't have to worry about healthcare, wou... by docmach on Friday December 04, 2009 @10:57AM (#976527)
It's also different because healthcare isn't a necessity. Many people can go for years with no health issues, but everyone needs to eat on a regular basis.
Re:Ask HN: If you didn't have to worry about healthcare, wou... by tptacek on Friday December 04, 2009 @11:52AM (#976653)
This idea (not you, mind you; just your retarded idea) is retarded. Healthcare isn't a necessity until it is.

As a 22 year old, you are unlikely to suffer congestive heart failure. But you also clearly have no idea what it costs to get hit by a car, to have a sudden unexplained seizure, or a burst appendix.

The problem with health care isn't that perscriptions cost to much or that it costs too much to see a doctor. Any of us can pay for a doctor's visit. The problem is that a 4-night stay at hospital will bankrupt you.

Re:Ask HN: If you didn't have to worry about healthcare, wou... by docmach on Friday December 04, 2009 @12:30PM (#976756)
This is why I'm saying that healthcare isn't a necessity. I might not need any medical care for years, but if I needed to spend 4 nights in a hospital it would bankrupt me. This makes not having health insurance risky, but starting a company has its risks. I would say that most of them are probably not as serious as this, but it's still just a risk.
Re:Ask HN: If you didn't have to worry about healthcare, wou... by nostrademons on Friday December 04, 2009 @12:53PM (#976832)
Starting a company is as much about managing risks as embracing them. You want to take risks with little downside and enormous upside. Not having health insurance is a risk with enormous downside and little upside.
Re:Ask HN: If you didn't have to worry about healthcare, wou... by tptacek on Friday December 04, 2009 @12:33PM (#976768)
This is probably the only way you'd risk bankruptcy starting a company. There are lots of risks that you'll drain your bank account, but when it looks like you're going to lose your lease, you go get a job.
Re:Ask HN: If you didn't have to worry about healthcare, wou... by baha_man on Friday December 04, 2009 @11:38AM (#976618)
"...healthcare isn't a necessity. Many people can go for years with no health issues..."

If you mean that most young people in the developed world (who've been delivered by trained midwives, checked over by a doctor at birth, had all their vaccinations, regular eye tests and dental checkups, and managed not to break a bone during childhood or adolescence) generally haven't needed to see a doctor or go to hospital for urgent medical attention, then you've got a point.

Of course, as they get older, they'll almost certainly need some sort of medical treatment.

Re:Ask HN: If you didn't have to worry about healthcare, wou... by logicalmind on Friday December 04, 2009 @11:31AM (#976598)
It depends on your age. When you're in your 20's and single and your employees are also, healthcare isn't usually a huge issue. But when you work for startup(s) during your 20's your body will take a toll from all of the hours of hard work, lack of sleep and bad diet. When that, and the likelihood of having a family, catches up to you, you will find healthcare a necessity.

You may have to pay for recurring prescriptions. The birth of a child, and many other things that will surely become necessities.

Re:Ask HN: If you didn't have to worry about healthcare, wou... by tptacek on Friday December 04, 2009 @11:59AM (#976668)
I've had car insurance for many, many years. In the past 10 years, despite paying many thousands and thousands of dollars for it, I've never "needed" it, even though I drive every day.