> because having medical insurance tied to work is obviously suboptimal.

That is a solved problem in many countries.

When the US grows up from its individual first, frontier moxie, pissing context it could have it too.

I somehow ended up as an American eligible for health insurance in the Medicare for All model (I'm covered and just pay a % of my income, but I can have whatever income I want), and it's shocking what this has done for my ability to not only plan, but to tell employers and prospective employers to pound sand.

One interesting thing about it is that it makes working for small businesses that can't afford good healthcare viable. It would really help jumpstart that part of the economy if we decoupled healthcare from employment.

> That is a solved problem in many countries.

No, it's not. Especially for cases, when the worker is a migrant from another country. I spent 3+ years of my life working in the country, paying huge taxes and huge healthcare insurance fee(which depends on your salary). And now i'm on the verge when i either work or leave to my home country(with a lots of problems). Despite contributing hugely to this country.

Concepts of countries and borders in itself is unfair to majority of people, who happened to be born in shitholes. Yet westerners just love to exploit these people to death, holding the carrot on the stick in front of their weary faces.

> When the US grows up from its individual first, frontier moxie, pissing context it could have it too.

IMHO, this is not what is wrong with the system in the US. The problem is that the consumer of healthcare is doubly removed from the price.

First by the insurance company using the doctors. Second by one's workplace paying for the insurance. Is it any wonder that prices keep going up under such a scheme?

The real problem is that the public option got replaced with marketplaces and employer-provided insurance got enshrined in the law. If we Americans were serious about having a free market we’d do the following:

- ban employer-provided insurance entirely. - provide tax breaks for employers who provide insurance stipends to their employees - provide tax breaks for people to buy insurance on the marketplaces - make open enrollment a once a quarter or once a month thing, or even allow you to switch insurance anytime.

The entire problem is that there’s no free market. The people using it aren’t able to negotiate. And when there’s a problem you have to pay your insurance until open enrollment. This means you have no way to vote with your wallet.

Frankly I'm a little confused what you are in favor of. On the one hand you seen to want a public option while on the other hand you seen to be in favor of a free market.

As I see it, the GP seems to be in favor of a competitive yet still regulated market, how is a public option at odds with that.

Can certainly be triggered by work or burnout, but this sounds like anxiety and panic attacks. Take care of yourself, as have had this happen even when work wasn't that stressful.

I'm getting professional help, thanks for your concern. The cost of that help is what made me realize one of the downside of employer sponsored health insurance