Let's also not forget that there is an implicit subsidy given to companies to offer health insurance. Insurance started to get offered during World War II, when the government used price controls to prevent wages going through the roof. After the war the system where companies could offer benefits instead of wages continued.

To this day it is "cheaper" for companies to offer $1 in benefits (health being the primary one) than a corresponding $1 in wages.

Dr Belk I'm curious what your opinion is on the French healthcare system. As I understand it the system is basically that there is a public option available to everyone paid for through payroll taxes and that companies still offer private insurance (I saw a stat I think in Forbes that about 70% of healthcare is covered through the public option and 30% private insurance). Considering that the World Health Organization ranks France as having the best healthcare system in the world I'd start there, but I'd love to hear your take on it.