but how many people would be barred due to pre-existing conditions on the free-market? I read somewhere that around 50% of the population could not get a new policy because of one medical condition or another without their group insurance.
The fact is, nowadays, insurance companies will not sell you a new policy if you have even had a cold in the past.
People who have long term or permanent illnesses are a financial burden we all share. How we resolve & finance this eternal tragedy for families & society is beyond me. We must provide for the sick & weak among us, or become animals. Shame to the society that does not.
But I'm not sure that is the full responsibility of the insurance industry. If they want to assume that responsibility freely, that's fine, but to legally coerce them to do so is wrong, IMO.
Is it any fairer that a father must remain in a dead-end job, turning down great job opportunities, because a child is sick? How does the family prosper in that situation? How is that better for the child?
Right now, there are huge legal impediments to an open market. State line restrictions need to go immediately - nothing but a gov’t sponsored monopoly. Get rid of these so an open market can grow.
A transition period will occur. Some will stay with their employer provided insurance. Others will see the advantage of private insurance. I'll bet in 20 years, employer provided insurance will be history, except in unique situations.