> if companies did not offer health care as a perk, they would be able to offer higher salaries instead.
Prices, including labor prices, are not determined by costs. There is no indication at all that companies would compensate employees more if they didn't have to pay for their health insurance. What is most likely to happen is that companies will pocket the difference, in the same way they've been pocketing the difference from increased productivity while letting wages become stagnant.
Prices, including labor prices, are not determined by costs. There is no indication at all that companies would compensate employees more if they didn't have to pay for their health insurance. What is most likely to happen is that companies will pocket the difference, in the same way they've been pocketing the difference from increased productivity while letting wages become stagnant.