🔗 Share this article

Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average employee. Choosing the appropriate medical coverage for our business – or for households – appears to require it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

Our Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Expensive

Based on a recent study, typical households pays $27,000 annually for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is expected to surpass $seventeen thousand for each worker by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now the government is shut down because political disagreements over subsidies that experts say will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program in the United States? I have to believe we're approaching that point since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare system – an established insurance framework – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How medical professionals get paid changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How Universal Coverage Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker making average wages pays about 5.3% toward medical coverage. The company must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you contrast that with what the typical US resident spends. I can name multiple clients who are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover pension plans, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with supporting medical services. When you add these expenses versus what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Implementation for America

For America, a national health premium would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It ought to be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and employer contribution. And, like many federal defense, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program would be a significant advantage for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would make management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would make simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than going through the complex (and fruitless) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding about benefits among workers – contrasted with existing arrangements which require them to interpret the complications of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for employers as we no longer would be privy to our employees' health histories for risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in society, including national security to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for small businesses that employ more than half of American employees and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases experienced recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, even with increased taxation that would be incurred, would still be a better and less expensive strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs but providing access for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare globally, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot amid current situation could be that we take a hard look in the mirror and agree that major reforms need to happen.