[KarlInOhio]

But our current system of employer-financed health insurance exists only because the federal government encouraged it by making the premiums tax deductible. That is, in effect, a more than $200 billion government subsidy for health care.

And that's where the trouble started...

And why did that happen? Wage and price controls during WW II prevented companies from competing for the remaining employees with pay, so the sneaked some benefits like medical insurance under the radar. Just as the housing bubble was caused by government interference in the market, so too are many of the problems with the medical system.

[henkster]

You’ve gotten right to the source of the problem. When employers began picking up the tab for health care, people began to think of it as a “right” and that it would be provided by someone else at no cost to them.

Look at it this way:

Who here has car insurance? All of us responsible people do.

Who takes good care of their car with routine maintenance, oil changes, etc...? All us responsible people do.

When we do take the car in for routine maintenance, how many of us think we should submit a claim for payment for the oil change to our auto insurance carrier?

Anyone?

Anyone?