yes unfortunately back in the 50's the big auto companies did a deal to include healthcare as part of wage negotiations. Which derailed the USA's progression to a German style model of healthcare.
If you talk to Alan Mulally and any on the AFL-CIO off the record they would agree - that in hind sight it was a bad deal both for the workers and the employers.
Which has the curious drawback that those most able to contribute to it (i.e. those earning more than X €/month) are allowed to opt-out of it. I never quite understood why this would have to be the case, and the various attempts to introduce an actual public health insurance system failed so far.
If you talk to Alan Mulally and any on the AFL-CIO off the record they would agree - that in hind sight it was a bad deal both for the workers and the employers.