Interestingly enough, most people continue to work despite the fact that a simple mishap or bout with illness for themselves or a loved one can (and does) wipe out everything they've earned working.

It's been ~10 years since I looked at the numbers, but I remember it being something like 30% of bankruptcy filings are due to medical issues and associated costs.

Maybe systemetizing it a priori would have a different impact on people's perception about the mechanism though?