[wideminded]

They didn’t need it because health care at that point was still market based.

That is so true. But the problem is not only due to government health programs like Medicare. Health insurance in general, particularly employer-paid health insurance has an inflationary effect by dampening price competition and price awareness.

[Roccus]

That is so true. But the problem is not only due to government health programs like Medicare. Health insurance in general, particularly employer-paid health insurance has an inflationary effect by dampening price competition and price awareness.

....and yet in 1968, the time referenced, employer-paid health insurance had been around for decades.