Reason to Stay in Europe

I'm not surprised, but a U.S. Census report released yesterday reporting a record number of Americans without health insurance underscores one of the 'Pros' of staying in Europe: universal health care. As a relative recently said to me, "If I have to wait four months to see a specialist, why not have socialized health care."

This recent news reminded me about an article entitled "The Risk Pool," which Malcolm Gladwell wrote for the New Yorker (Aug. 28, 2006), covering America's history of employer-paid health care and pensions: While employers are now dropping or decreasing such benefits, around the middle of last century a number of large, influential employers chose offering pension and health coverage over universal coverage. They saw attempts "to spread the costs and risks of benefits over the biggest and most diverse group possible"as a "threat to the free market and to the autonomy of business owners." Funny, from my personal experience, lack of universal health coverage actually hurts the free market. One of the reasons my last job was so attractive was the free, excellent health care coverage—it was a major factor that kept me from finding a position that was a better fit for my skills. The market is not optimized when resources (my skills) do not flow freely in the market due to impediments (lack of health care).

As for other Europe 'Pros,' shorter work weeks and 25+ vacation days are tempting, along with the generally more cyclist friendly attitude in Europe. I'd really miss not having a bike.