Subject: Re: Witnessing the end of Europe's welfare state_
" Last year, the average annual premium for an employer-based health insurance plan for a family of four was over $25,500. Of that average total, employers contributed about $19,200 and workers contributed the rest."

I seen that,too. Was a bit surprised, I thought the employer/employee split
was closer to 50%, but it's approximately 75%.

It's surprising that corporations aren't using the power of their paid-for
access to Senators and Reps to push for national healthcare, and remove
that direct 75% burden from themselves. I get that all of the insurance companies,
hospitals, etc would fight it like a cornered grizzly bear, but they are out numbered.

The continuing status quo shows me that the healthcare industry must be paying
out the most protected-free-speech money to the Senators and Reps, since they
are able to maintain the status quo. I expect that, but am disappointed
in American citizens not being able to see thru the BS that the media hype
machine spits out at them. The Senators and Reps feel no danger to their
cushy and lucrative position, not at all worried about being voted out.
We'll see if any lessons have been learned in 2026, assuming that the gov
shutdown will not succeed in eliminating the subsidies set to be cut from
the ACA. And I truly hope the post 65 bloc, of which I am a part, doesn't
think they are in no danger of seeing and feeling accelerated medicare premiums,
like the under 65 bloc is staring at.