And if you must go to the individual market, you can’t deduct it until it reaches 10% of your income. Not really fair.

I believe it's not just tax free, right, it's just priced into your salary. They won't give you the employer contribution back as cash if you decline, will they?

The money that goes towards the health insurance isn't subject to income tax, so it's cheaper than taking the money and buying yourself.

employer provided health insurance:

    $50k salary
    $5k health insurance
    $50k taxable income

buy your own health insurance:

    $50k salary
    $5k in lieu of health insurance
    $55k taxable income

But it's better/worse than that. Because they won't pay you $55k if you decline healthcare. Instead, you get paid $50k with the option to get healthcare (take it or leave it).

My family's insurance healthcare isn't tax-free, which would mean saving $2k or $3k or whatever. It's over $10k of insurance a year that I pay less than $2k for.