If the payroll tax replaced the monthly premiums, it could work as long as the government put a cap on the $$ or % of the tax.  Putting together your monthly premium, any deductibles,  and copays or any other  out of pocket costs, it might be a total lower out of pocket cost or even a wash.....but the wildcard it the government not capping or annually increasing it for the average taxpayer.  It also needs to be combined with a review of the health care cost side of the ledger.  Pharmacy costs are ridiculous when they are spending less than 10% on R&D, ingredient costs are minor and yet they charge hundreds to tens  of  of thousands of dollars for medicines.  OR drastically increase the cost of existing medicines for no reason but to make an unreasonable profit.  And hospital costs also need to be reviewed.