Why does health insurance have to be a luxury in America? Feat Michelle Buteau
Summary
Michelle Buteau tells Kareem why health insurance shouldn't be a luxury in America, pointing out the absurdity that "it's easier to get insurance for your dog than it is to get insurance for your child." She contrasts her experience growing up without coverage to her Dutch husband's confidence. He skis down unfamiliar mountains without fear because he's had health insurance his whole life. Kareem shares his own horror story: in college, he taped a popsicle stick to his injured finger because he couldn't afford treatment, only to learn later he needed surgery for a torn ligament. The conversation spirals into why vision insurance is cheapest when "you can't get a replacement eye" but you can replace hips and noses. Buteau wishes she could stick to petty takes instead, like why famous people are doing standup for the check.
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Full Transcript
So, what's your take? Why does health insurance have to be a luxury in America? 100% agree. It should—it should be the opposite of a luxury. Do you know what I mean?
Yes. Basic human needs. Also, like, we need to hear about health insurance. Like, people have insurance for their cars but not their bodies. It's easier to get insurance for your dog than it is to get insurance for your child. That is not okay with me.
That's the American way though. We care about— You're too cute for that. No, we care about the dogs more than the humans.
Not me personally. I mean, that's a very big stance. Not me personally.
Okay, good. I know someone that has insurance for their little uh guinea pig. No. Yeah. And then they don't have health insurance.
No, I don't like that. I don't like that person. I mean, it's not their fault. It's the government.
No, it's—it's everybody's fault. We have to choose better. Like, I am married to a European and you never realize you're married to a European. I'm married to a European guy. He's Dutch. And you know what? What is—what—what—what—what? I like Dutch people.
Me, too. Obviously. I just wanted to make a weird face on camera. Poland. Never realized like, growing up with no health insurance. Like, the way we walk down the street is so different. Like, he's out here confident. Oh, he is skiing on mountains he's never met before cuz he has—cuz he's had health insurance his whole life.
You want to know something? When I was in college, I didn't have health insurance. Look at my finger. I'm a victim of no health insurance. I tore a ligament and then I put—I just—I just t—I taped a popsicle stick to it because I was Dr. Kareem. Oh my God. And they were like, "It's not a broken bone, you idiot. It's a ligament. You need surgery." Where did you learn that, Doogie Howser? That is unacceptable.
No, I went to the doctor and they told me that I didn't need a popsicle stick. I needed surgery. And I didn't know I needed surgery cuz I had no health insurance. I don't even—down to the surgeries. It's just like, even down to dental. I'm just like, why is everything so expensive? Why is it a luxury? Why is vision insurance—that's the cheapest one? I think vision's like 16. But the eyes are so important to the body. You can't get a replacement eye. You can get a replacement arm. You can get a replacement nose if you're lucky. I feel like that—that should be the most expensive insurance and then the rest of the body should be cheaper insurance cuz you can replace stuff. You can replace a hip. You can replace I don't know what else you can replace.
And I wish I didn't have to talk about this. I wish I had like a petty take like, "Why are famous people doing standup?" Like, that's terrible. That's a good take. Do you know what I mean?
I know why they're doing it. Why are they doing it?
The check. There's no money in standup. Stand up is— What are you talking about? First of all, nobody does—what? How many specials you got?
What? In the 19—specials. How many specials? I mean, like, 1 hour specials, too. Like, 15-minute specials, like a couple. So, that's about $4 million.
For who? For who? I don't know, man. Are you talking about like what I'm supposed to make? I'm just saying.