Get Healthcare out of the Hands of the Employer

Get Healthcare out of the Hands of the Employer I need healthcare coverage the job seekers are saying. It ranks up higher than needing a job. Imagine what risks or sacrifices people could make if they didnt NEED healthcare benefits. They could: Pursue a lifetime dream of starting their own business. Accept long term and maybe even short term contract work. Develop a portfolio career (several different jobs that equate to full time pay). Be freed  from the notion that a job with benefits is the only option. As we look at the growing nature of healthcare costs to the employer and the resulting decline in their hiring permanent employees.   We see the shift has been towards contract work.   For most unemployed, this is not an option because it doesnt come with healthcare. Dan Schawbels interview with  Jason Alba looks at his career and business.   Jason has multiple income streams which were developed out of necessity as he says: They all tie into my idea of “income security,” with the goal of creating a model that will help me secure a certain income, regardless of who my employer is. In business we call it diversification. If  the government  really wants to help the economy and get people back to work, one of the first things they need to address is this issue.   It is truly limiting the ability  of our economy to get back on its feet. Penelope Trunk, Brazen Careerist,   wrote about how to change  high healthcare costs.   Her recommendation, pay doctors less.   Read her short post to learn why doctors would probably still be doctors even if they werent paid as much. I am not necessarily advocating for government  sponsored or socialized healthcare per se.   There just has to be another way. Lets get people back to work so they can begin to feel good about themselves again.   We are all  striving for  life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.