That is what the law does, right now.
Sometimes for 18 months.
Sometimes for 36 months, depending on the circumstances.
The primary problem, from in insurance standpoint, is that the employer should still be free to switch to another health insurance plan, and the individual on COBRA complicates matters, when that happens.
Could not the former employee commit to accept whatever insurance the former employer...No I can see what you mean. Kind of like having a former wife on your insurance and you want to insure the new wife. Entangling alliances.