[jgon]

While most employers do offer an "extra frills" health plan as part of employment, private insurance at fairly good rates is available to everyone. I could call up Blue Cross this afternoon and get a private health plan equivalent to my employer's if I chose to.

EDIT: I still really like the Australian system and wouldn't be upset if we started incorporating some of the ideas it contains. I just wanted to point out that for at least this one case the Canadian situation isn't quite as bad as it would appear.

[grecy]

Right, but your employer is still deducting that amount from your paycheck, so you are losing out.

(At the Canadian company I work for, they estimate the 'benefits' overhead is around 26% of my salary - Yes, that is extremely high, because I can't choose the plan or coverage, the company dictates it for me. Married people with 10 kids pay the same amount I do... so you can see I'm getting a shit deal and would much rather just have my own money to spend)

[run4yourlives]

That's a condition of your employment though. Nothing is forcing them to offer a health plan at all.

[grecy]

Nothing is forcing them to offer it, but I'm expressing my opinion and saying something should force them not to, because my employer should have nothing to do with my health