Jim Yanik wrote:

the gov't counts employer-paid healthcare as income,and taxes it.


Sorry, no. In almost every other case, employee benefits, including salary, is
tax deductible to the employer and taxable to the employee.

There are two exceptions which are tax deductible to the employer and not
taxable to the employee: The employer's FICA and Medicare contributions and
health insurance.

Oh, there are a couple of other minor exceptions such as uniforms and meals
provided to the employee for the employer's benefit.

-- Doug