[avgDev]

Some employers almost completely subsidize it.

It is hard to give up a job that pays $140k, subsidizes health insurance, std and ltd and offers good PTO.

This could equal to a total compensation of $170k.

Also, larger companies can get a better deal on healthcare than a single person.

[SkyPuncher]

Correct. This is well known for employers that "fully loaded" cost is 20% to 40% higher than base salary.

My point is simply that health insurance does not require an employer. Individuals can purchase it on their own. Like anything, that purchase costs money.