Interesting point from this Wall Street Journal op-ed: “Health Care or a House?” Excerpt:
Imagine walking into a job interview and your potential employer tells you that the best thing about working there is that the company will buy you a house. While it sounds preposterous, it just might be cheaper than providing you with health insurance.The 2005 Kaiser Family Foundation Survey found that the average premium for family medical coverage is $10,880 per year, which is approximately $906 per month. According to the National Association of Realtors, the median price of existing single family homes in December was $211,000. With 20% down and a 30-year mortgage at 6.25%, the cost of buying the home is $1,040 per month. Given the choice between paying an average employee’s fixed-rate mortgage at $1,040 a month or paying for health care, the employer would be better served paying the mortgage. At least the mortgage payment will remain $1,040 a month 10 years from now; the monthly health insurance premium is likely to more than double, to $2,400.