🔗 Share this article

Deductibles. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average worker. Selecting the right medical coverage for companies – or for our families – seems like demands a PhD in medical insurance.

The Medical System Isn't Just Complex, It Is Expensive

According to a recent study, the average family spends $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is projected to surpass $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Now the government is shut down due to political disagreements regarding tax credits that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider a national health insurance program here in America? I have to believe we're approaching that point since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an established insurance framework – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. How our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee earning average wages pays approximately five point three percent to their healthcare. Their employer must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Unless you contrast that with what the typical US resident spends. I can name multiple clients who are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs for medical benefits. Remember that in inclusive programs, those payments also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to supporting healthcare facilities. When you add those costs versus what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

In the US, a national health premium would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework already established. It ought to be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would pay more than those earning less. There would be both an employee and employer contribution. And, like much of our government's defense, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the program should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put small companies in equal competition against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would render management much easier (a payroll deduction remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, rather than going through the complicated (and ineffective) theater of negotiating with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits by our employees – contrasted with the current system where they have to interpret the complexities of existing plans. And there would certainly be reduced responsibility for employers as we no longer would be privy to workers' health histories for risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in our lives, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage to all via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses which hire the majority of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It enables employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. Given all the healthcare cost increases experienced recently, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning very well. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, despite increased taxation required, would still be a superior and less expensive approach for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

As Americans, must tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. The US places significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality globally, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect in this present circumstances is that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and agree that major reforms need to happen.