[Angry_White_Man_Syndrome]

it would have cost me 1/3 of my takehome pay to buy into their “industry-leading” health insurance plan

That is part of the problem. The states have required that insurance policies cover such a wide variety of things by law. This drives up prices for the insurance and those costs are passed on to the employee or consumer. Now if insurance policies could be designed to address each employees need the costs could be reduced greatly. A good example of this is the requirement to cover birth control. The elderly and faithful Catholics do not need BC coverage, but the law mandates it.

[Grams A]

I have had an individual policy for years - no maternity benefits, no AIDS treatment, no mental health, drastically limited chemo benefits, no plastic surgery, large deductible. Never signed up for Medicare although eligible. Recd notice from them that as of 1/1/2011 my coverage would be expanded to cover all of these and more and the premium is going to increase about four times. I have never used my insurance and negotiated a cash price with my internist for needed outpatient services. So I said no thanks!

[ridesthemiles]

Single men must also carry coverage for pregnancy costs.