I've seen plenty of articles saying you should have some emergency funds to cover at least a couple of months if you can't work, but some people can't even manage that as they just about get by. With the health costs you can have over there it can really wipe people out. Society needs safety nets so everyone has a chance of a good life.
I totally agree. It looked like we were going to have something at one point, but then it all got shot to hell. It's unfortunate that basic needs like this have become so politicized. Right now health care is the thing that is scaring me the most. I have a special fund for it, but I know it would take decades for it to be enough to cover a major emergency.