In a previous entry I told the story of an ex-employee who asked me to provide her with health insurance. I did everything BUT, giving her a raise totaling enough cash monthly to buy her own health insurance, getting quotes for her from my insurance guy and giving her the number of the agent to call and arrange for her insurance. The only thing I didn't do was buy it for her.

And neither did she.

The Tribune editorial that got me thinking about this stuff talked about uninsured people, stating that while many don't buy because they truly cannot afford it, many others don't buy because they just don't want to get it. There is a feeling of invincible-ness when you're young and healthy, and you don't really see the need for insurance. After all, you've gone this long without it and nothing bad has happened. Why spend the money when there are other wants and needs that seem more pressing?

A letter to the editor in the 12/10/07 edition of the Tribune titled "Broken System" argues that health insurance should not be mandated, because it is one's right to choose how to take care of one's self. The writer argues that because she does "much to prevent illness and promote high level wellness" and that she doesn't want to "pay into an insurance industry that is corrupt and not interested" in her health. Well, that's one excuse. Until she gets sick, she can use that one with confidence. If, heaven forbid, she get sick or in an accident, I wonder how she'll pay for the care she receives.

There are other excellent letters in the section with very interestin commentary. I chose this one simply because it more or less illustrated the topic I was writing about. I wonder: who's responsibility is our health? Is it the government's responsibility, or is it our own? If someone doesn't value it enough, or doesn't see a need for watching out for their own health care (not necessarily their health, but their access to care), should the rest of us worry about it?

The answer, unfortunately, is yes, because the rest of us are the ones who will ultimately pay the bill for any catastrophic health occurrences should they happen...