As people age they do get “free” insurance from Medicare. And if a white collar worker experiences downward mobility they can qualify for free or cheap insurance through the Medicaid and Affordable Care Act provisions.
Every single one of those programs comes with a laundry list of asterisks that make them far worse than any employer provided insurance I have ever had.
Also, medicare doesn't kick in until 65, which pretty much guarantees that most workers won't be able to retire until then; even if they're otherwise eligible / able.
To offer a contrasting anecdote, my government health insurance (MediCal) was the best I ever had, including my current 6-figure job. It can be done well.
