[sbarzowski]

I agree.

Just wanted to note that there are systems which are not tax-paid and still avoid the problems that you have in the US.

E.g. in Switzerland health insurance is private, but the variables that can be used to determine the price are regulated. The employers cannot directly provide health insurance as a benefit (some provide a cash supplement, but that's effectively a higher salary). This way big companies don't get preferential treatment. You can be a freelancer and have the exact same health insurance as people in big tech.

[burlesona]

That makes sense to me: I specifically think that employer provided health insurance is problematic because it means the wealthy and powerful in the US have no idea how painful it is for the “average joe” to deal with insurance. If all the executives in the US had to buy their own coverage via our system, I think there would suddenly be a new huge and well-backed lobby for reform.