I have employer health insurance. And it has made me a captive to a job I hate. Our system of insurance ties us to jobs solely because our system mandates it. More after the fold.
In the past few months, I have had two major medical expenses. My child was born three months ago. Two weeks ago I had emergency gall bladder surgery. In both cases, the costs were paid, in part, by insurance. Employer paid insurance. Disliked employer paid insurance.
The birth of my child was paid for by his mom's insurance. She does not like her job. She stayed for the insurance.
As for me, the surgery was a surprise. I want to start my own firm, but, well, the risk of follow-up medical costs without insurance is too high. So, I have to stay at my old firm.
And that gives the biggest problem with employer insurance. It is sticky. It makes people stay with jobs they do not like, just to have it. This is why we need some sort of single payer system. Employer insurance makes us captives to our employers.