where did this mess start?

I need to go back and read the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. I'm pretty sure this contains much of the start of our current mess. It's referenced quite a bit in the beginning of the bill; I'm thinking it involves the requirements of businesses to provide healthcare to their employees. We'll see... but even if that's not the right law, it certainly is the start of the mess. What does employment have to do with healthcare? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Why should employers be on the hook for providing healthcare for their employees? They shouldn't!!