@walkinggirl Yes, your situation is different, it is not the norm. And, this is not the place to be political....but one can be logical
If we agree on the goal that affordable quality healthcare should be available to everyone, then it is simply a matter of analyzing proposed solutions.
I worked and had healthcare insurance from my employer. My original Medicare + Medigap policy is superior to my employer. Under my employer, I got charged a premium, had a deductible and they chose the plan, it had a network and it was very confusing. I would go to the doctor, the doctor would send in the bill to insurance, the insurance would process and then pay ME (not the doctor) and I would then pay the doctor. So I had to keep track that claim was processed, payments came in to me and then send a check to my doctor. (I had an analytical job so I found this ridiculous). NOW RETIRED, I just pay my insurance Part B (deducted from Social Security) and Medigap policy (automatic payment set up) and I never see a bill and I can self-refer wherever I want.
I think people need coverage NOT choice so I would put everyone on an original Medicare plan that one can take with one from employer to employer. Insurance companies add no benefit to healthcare, just cost because of the added layers of complexity-advertising, different types of policy, negotiating every year - for no purpose. I also wonder why Medicare doesn't offer an optional Medigap policy for the 20% it doesn't cover. Let Medicare make a profit instead of the insurance company. Also, data shows that Medicare is more cost effective than insurance companies. It pays out a higher percent of premiums in benefits than insurance companies.