This was the first step into government-owned socialized medicine.
I was supposed to be cheaper for you to be in a 'group rate' plan, but as costs got hidden from the buyer, and went up and up, it because something NO ONE would buy, if they had a choice.
$12K a year? I dont have it right now, and I pay all my own medical costs cash. After 2 broken arms AND a food posioning, I am still probably $50K ahead.
Why wouldn’t you do it?"
Because the Democrats who created ObamaCare want more control over what should be individual decisions and because they want to create many more public sector union members.
Nice work there.
The author's idea is just more nanny state BS.
There is absolutely no reason for employer provided health insurance (EPHI). How you pay for your health care is none of their business. Allowing another person - your employer - to select your insurance is not to your best advantage. The accounting burden for these group plans falls directly on the employer, while doing nothing to improve his profits. The lure of simplicity over quality has to be a factor in his insurance offerings to his employees.
Another negative aspect of EPHI, supposedly fixed by Obamacare, is the employees reluctance to seek better employment opportunities for fear of losing coverage. I'm doubtful Obamacare will resolve this dilemma.
Then there is the matter of price. Are you getting the best insurance for your employee dollar? Who Knows? How can you know? You didn't shop for it, it was take it or leave it. Are there better plans for you at a cheaper price? Doesn't matter, your employer doesn't offer it. Too bad.
How many different plans with different insurers are you offered at work? 2? 3? How many different auto insurers can you select from? 20? 50? How about life insurance? A zillion? Why must we pick from 2 or 3 “canned” health insurance plans pre-picked by our employer, yet Geico, Progressive, & a dozen other insurers will insure everything from your car to your pet hamster?
Insurance should be purchased by individuals & families in an open market, across state lines, just like car & health insurance is purchased now. If employers can expense insurance costs against taxable income, then individuals should be allowed to do so, too.
What could be simpler? If you don't like your insurance or insurer, buy it from some other insurer. Preexisting conditions can be factored into the system, just as auto insurers factor in the condition of a used car to be insured & life insurers factor in age when issuing a policy.
The accounting & administration of insurance is off the employer's back. Your privacy is increased. Fewer people are involved in your personal & financial decisions. The insured has a better idea of what he is paying for & how much he is paying. Obviously, if you don't want sex change insurance or free contraception, you don't have to buy it. Maybe you will want an insurance company that doesn't offer such nonsense - there will probably be one. Insurance companies can attract young people to buy insurance with lower prices & incentives to be long term insured, much as whole life insurance policies do.
Tinkering with the current nightmare system might help, or it might not. But, we know the free market works, giving the best product for the lowest price along with a multitude of options.
Think about it next time you see Flo explain your insurance options in 15 seconds in a way even a child can understand.