And what about all the employees that suddenly would be without coverage and unable to get coverage because the insurance companies considered them too big a risk? Seems like a few people would save $25, but others would be shafted.  

And those who did get coverage, but had exclusions for all their previous conditions?  "Mr. Smith, you had a heart attack a few years back, so we are going to exclude any and all coverage related to your heart ... but if you are lucky enough to get cancer or a stroke, you will be fully covered, as you have no history of that."

Doesn't sound like a solution to me.  And what's to stop private companies from charging people based on obesity?  Would it be less objectionable if private companies charged an extra $25 or $100 to overweight people that they thought were higher risks?

Ok - I am for the idea of responsibility and financial sticks and carrots. But what about pre-existing conditions if we all strike out on our own as individuals? If all of us went out and sought insurance coverage on the 'free' market, some of would be denied coverage by every insurer and those of us who did get a policy would have cluster headaches and anything remotely related defined as a 'pre-existing' condition (not covered).  I wouldn't be surprised if apnea were excluded as it tends to occur with CH so often. Same might hold true of PFO heart problems. Sorry, Clusterheads, NO SOUP FOR YOU!

The health insurance market will never be an ideal, free market. No ease of entry, ease of exit. Imperfect information, especially on the part of the consumer. And the insurance companies hire armies of lawyers, analysts and drones who's purpose is to write loopholes in policies and deny people benefits and increase profits.  A completely de-regulated market would only make that situation worse. Eliminating employers pools would only make things worse.

Good Point Charlie!

This goes much deeper than eating one to many cheeseburgers per week!

Jimmers

Oh yeah, there is this little thing that is falsely called a war around here that is sucking a record amount of money from the average tax payer.

The ironic thing is that in the past a war was GOOD for the economy and much in the past was made about the US entering wars just to bolster its economy. Now days our leaders can't even get that right.

Record number of tax dollars (creating a record deficent from a record surplus for the first time in history) not helping the average tax payer at all, who is probably looking at losing his job soon. Suspciously enough an oil company has recorded the ALL TIME RECORD PROFIT for ANY US COMPANY recently (and the earnings are less than they projected and they are dissapointed about it).

Each year the US wastes enough money to feed and provide every American with healthcare.