Here's the problem I have with HDHPs. Why should people bother saving? The best case scenario which happens now, and what young people (under 30 usually) figure nothing bad will ever happen. So screw health insurance.
Plus i have no assets. Then when an accident happens and they need care, they expect the government to pick up the bill, which happens.
So the gamble is if I'm healthy, why should I be responsible and save to pay for my healthcare? Why should I be forced to save?
I mean look how great 401k retirement savings has been working out. People haven't been savings, not saying pensions are the answer.
But personal responsibility, which a lot of people on this particular thread are talking about is NOT the norm. Nor is it the way most people feel when they ACTUALLY have to foot the medical bill.
It's what you mouth when you have employed provided or HDHP and nothing bad.
The moment something catastrophic happens and your HDHP individual plan doesn't cover what you think it should, then you realize, gee, it sucks.
Then you say why should I pay? Why don't I take advantage of the systems like everyone else?
Not saying it's right, but it happens.
My BIL went 6 months without health insurance. And MOST of his friends in the US (Below 30, college educated, working) do as well. They figure, just go to ER, then skip out on the bill, screw the hospital.
Turns out it works. Nothing you can say will make them shell out the $100/month HDHP, let alone for their own care.
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