That's where employee health care came about in the first place - it was a way for employers to compete during a time of government mandated wage freezes. Since they couldn't raise the pay offered to attract employees, they began offering health insurance in addition to traditional compensation - it was a case of the free market making employers adapt to attract workers.

As for mandated health insurance, I would prefer to NOT have the insurance and get paid more instead. That way I could select a policy with less coverage at a lower cost and pocket the difference. My current coverage is mostly wasted on me, since I have been to the doctor twice in the last nine years under my current plan. All the money spent by my employer on that useless insurance could have been put to better use by me. And without insurance driving up doctor's fees, it would be more affordable anyway.