From what I understand, it was a way to attract employees during a time of wage freezes. And once that happened, you had the people paying for the health care

From what I understand, it was a way to attract employees during a time of wage freezes. And once that happened, you had the people paying for the health care being different people from those that consumed it. So that allowed prices to skyrocket. Now you have a situation where this is the accepted normal. In some countries, the company you work for provides your housing. You get fired, you directly lose your apartment / dorm room.