Why not use universal basic income or healthcare as an incentive for volunteerism?

I’ve been thinking about healthcare and the universal basic income, and I have an idea.

So the idea of a universal basic income is a few centuries old. It’s been mentioned and promoted by philosophers, politicians, and civil rights advocates. Many have based the financing of universal basic income and healthcare on taxes, which doesn’t exactly make many people feel good. And while the idea of a basic living wage and free healthcare for everyone sounds good, it doesn’t seem like it would really work out if it’s just free.

Why wouldn’t free healthcare or universal basic income work?

It sounds human-friendly. Everyone gets enough care and money for the basics. But, we humans get used to the basics. Just look around at the planet. We have assumed that there will be enough clean water forever, that the air would just be clean, that the weather would always be the same, and we are born assuming everyone will be kind to us. And, we’ve learned that just ain’t so.

While you can argue with me about global warming or environmental policy, it’s hard to argue that we humans tend to appreciate what we work for. We tend to not give so much thought to what’s been given as free.

How could free healthcare or universal basic income make a bigger difference?

I’m not sure if I’m for the universal basic income or not. As someone with an autoimmune disease, free healthcare would be a huge game changer for my family’s finances. And while I was lucky to be a part of a group that met with the Secretary of Health and Human Services in 2016 to discuss healthcare, I don’t know the scope of how it could be administered. I won’t pretend to know the costs associated with creating and maintaining such a giant government program. However, I do know that this inspired my idea. This could be an opportunity to help everyone in ways, beyond financial.

Being disconnected and disinterested is a problem that universal basic income or healthcare could help solve. Our little screens and the easy accessibility to seemingly infinite ways to amuse ourselves is out of hand. We are so virtually connected, and so physically disconnected at the same time.

Reconnecting to each other in a positive way could help our communities, our nations, and our planet. I’m talking about giving our time and energy to help others. Motivating the reconnection of our communities with universal healthcare or basic income as the incentive.

How could a universal basic income or healthcare promote volunteerism?

Sharing our time to help others could be a prerequisite for the program. Combining the two could be way to solve so many of the problems we face. Volunteering time to plant trees, pick up trash, donate blood, deliver meals to seniors, crocheting scarves, or other acts of community kindness are all things that everyone can do. We all have the ability to donate our talents and our time.

As for healthcare or universal basic income, qualifying could just be a matter of a non-profit certifying that we completed our volunteer hours and submitting that form with our income tax filing. If you completed all of the hours, then you receive the maximum amount and coverage. If you did nothing, you don’t receive it. And then there is the in-between amounts for completing a portion of the time.

Not everyone needs a subsidized regular income or free healthcare, and not everyone would want to volunteer. Making qualifying for the program optional helps keep it from becoming an infringement on our right of free will that we Americans cherish.

Why is volunteering always a good idea?

I’m not a politician, a philosopher, nor a civil rights advocate. But I am a mom and I love my community. Volunteering in my town, and in other towns around the country after natural disasters, has connected me to so many caring and inspirational people.

Volunteering gets us humans out of our homes and reconnects us with our neighbors. We see each other, beyond the screen. It’s easier to build a community when we are together. And while many of us aren’t venturing out during the pandemic, we can make a difference from home. We can make a plan for how we can volunteer and help regrow the strength of our neighborhoods and towns, after the pandemic is over.

Even if no one reads this, or if it just doesn’t seem feasible to you, that’s ok. My desire for connected communities isn’t crushed. I just hope you’ll consider volunteering in your town.

I’ve always said that if you are new to town, and you want to make friends, go volunteer. Why? It’s hard to find a mean person who volunteers.