have jobs with benefits become scarce nationwide (I'm in the USA)?

Question

Most other industrialized companies offer free health care - just charging a tax for it. Health insurance is not needed for healthcare in those countries like it is here.

Answer 1

Yes. Benefits really don't belong in the workplace. Almost all industrialized countries long since decided that "benefits" such as healthcare are not benefits at all, but rather basic amenities that should be available to all and financed out of tax revenues.

In many cases, especially involving low-wage workers supporting large families, benefits may actually cost more than wages.