And BTW single payer will not reduce costs. It will drive the costs up, not down.
Duh. Geez, you just can't be informed beyond what you have decided is so, can you?
Increased competition is important. If it requires nudging from the Feds, I'm ok with it. I'm generally in favor of state's rights, but in this case, I'd be ok with a gentle nudge. Opening up to competition doesn't seem like it would be so hard to make happen. A little attention on who is and isn't allowing such commerce might do it. Commerce clause maybe?
I agree, let employers offer what benefits they like. I'd bet big money that all things being equal, most employers would dump healthcare as a benefit immediately. It's a headache to administer, and it's expensive. Rather than pay $1000 to an employee's health insurance, raise his pay that much and be done with it. Tag that money as for health insurance, and make it tax free. A win/win. If consumers are involved in purchasing health insurance, the cost there would go down. As it is now, I'm offered 2 or 3 plans, pick one, or get lost.
If I spent my life in the insurance industry, I'm sure I'd have better solutions. I don't work in insurance.