I don’t get what employers have to do with your health insurance in the first place. Is this some weird way to keep you working at the threat of your healthcare being taken away?
I believe it goes back to world war 2. The country froze wages for economic stabilization. Some employers started throwing in health care as an incentive during a labor shortage. We are now stuck with this poisonous system.
It’s a tax break for corporations, and bulk sales to companies is easier for health care providers than working with individuals. The squeeze comes together after a time.
In Germany your employer usually needs to pay 50% of your health insurance, given you work over a certain hour per week threshold. I mean in the end it’s by convention and as employee you do not profit as a higher wage would be preferable. Historically grown, but not solely a US thing (even if not really comparable).
It’s all the same offerings which are picked by the state, although companies can choose to add on to that if they want to, and then the company just used that, if you lose your job then you’re covered by state benefits. Then if you get another job you go back to the same type of insurance.
Of course if you’re rich you can pay for your own dedicated insurance which will probably be nicer but ultimately you don’t need to.
I am not sure if you are being cynical tbh. I was reacting to a comment stating it’s weird your employer plays a role in health insurance in US, my point was he does in Germany too.
Of course our social system is totally different. The tax payer will usually cover your insurance in case you lose your job. Coverage levels are not a thing, everybody has more or less the same level which is rather high compared to other countries. However there is private insurance for high earners and state employees that do not pay into the public fund, meaning we do have a two class system which is pretty unfair.
I don’t get what employers have to do with your health insurance in the first place. Is this some weird way to keep you working at the threat of your healthcare being taken away?
The US is weird af
Yes, that’s precisely what it is.
I believe it goes back to world war 2. The country froze wages for economic stabilization. Some employers started throwing in health care as an incentive during a labor shortage. We are now stuck with this poisonous system.
It’s a tax break for corporations, and bulk sales to companies is easier for health care providers than working with individuals. The squeeze comes together after a time.
You know what would be even easier? A single-payer system.
What are you, some kinda commie?
“Yes”
Yes.
In Germany your employer usually needs to pay 50% of your health insurance, given you work over a certain hour per week threshold. I mean in the end it’s by convention and as employee you do not profit as a higher wage would be preferable. Historically grown, but not solely a US thing (even if not really comparable).
Do you also lose your healthcare insurance if you get fired, and also does your employer determine the insurer and coverage levels offered?
It’s all the same offerings which are picked by the state, although companies can choose to add on to that if they want to, and then the company just used that, if you lose your job then you’re covered by state benefits. Then if you get another job you go back to the same type of insurance.
Of course if you’re rich you can pay for your own dedicated insurance which will probably be nicer but ultimately you don’t need to.
I am not sure if you are being cynical tbh. I was reacting to a comment stating it’s weird your employer plays a role in health insurance in US, my point was he does in Germany too.
Of course our social system is totally different. The tax payer will usually cover your insurance in case you lose your job. Coverage levels are not a thing, everybody has more or less the same level which is rather high compared to other countries. However there is private insurance for high earners and state employees that do not pay into the public fund, meaning we do have a two class system which is pretty unfair.