Can my employer make me get an inferior health insurance plan before I can get the "good" plan?

Generally speaking the answer is 'no.' If they offer coverage to other employees then they should offer it to you. It needs to be equitable and fair for the most part and making you sign up on one plan for a year first doesn't sound like something legit (at least I've never heard of such a thing). The part of your question that doesn't make sense is the term 'catastrophic." Catastrophic denotes a poor plan -- not a good one. Did you mean 'comprehensive?' All in all it sounds like a deterrent from you getting the plan and it sounds very fishy - though it could be possible because the rules are different state to state. I will also add it wouldn't be the first time I've heard a company doing something they can't legally do.

Your employer can't make you sign onto their plan, unless they are paying 100% of it. But, they can also make the eligiblitiy criteria, which 'sticks' as long as it's applied to everyone, equally. So, if you want to go on your employer's GOOD plan, apparently you have to take the yucky one for a year. But you can ALWAYS totally bypass your employer, visit a local agent, and buy your own plan directly.

Insufficient information provided. Discuss the matter with your state Department of Labor. Key facts are: - Type of business - Number of employees - Your employment status

Unless you have a signed, binding employment contract, or are under a union contract, your employer can offer or not offer any benefits that they please.

Your employer does not have to offer any health plan. As long as the policy is applied consistently, it is perfectly legal.