At least that premium is totally reasonable. In Germany, the health insurance tax is 15%, half paid by the employer and half by the employer (and it’s not progressive like the ACA subsidy). $4,500 per year is 7% of income, lower than what the employer-side tax alone would be in Germany.
Now do the math when you include total out-of-pocket. My napkin says: "Considerably more than 15%". (Unless I misremember, and the 15% German tax doesn't cover the vast majority of cost.) Not to dismiss your point completely, but I could sell you insurance for $1/year, but your total out-of-pocket cost is going to be considerably more than $1.
