🔗 Share this article

Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. EPO. POS. HDHP. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the right medical coverage for companies – or for our families – seems like demands advanced expertise in healthcare.

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

Based on recent research, typical households pays $27,000 annually for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). Typical company healthcare expense is projected to surpass $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Currently federal operations has ceased functioning because partisan disputes regarding subsidies that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I have to believe we're approaching that point since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. The way medical professionals get paid would change. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would require payments from both employees and employers. In similar programs, a worker making average wages pays about five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem like a lot? Unless you compare that with what average US resident spends. I know dozens of businesses that are routinely paying anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that with inclusive programs, those payments include pension plans, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to funding medical services. When you add those costs compared with what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system that is already in place. It ought to be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to much of federal defense, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors that can pay for superior coverage. It would render administration significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would make simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complex (and ineffective) theater of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would be improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – as opposed to the current system which require them to decipher the complications of existing plans. And there would certainly be reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't have access to workers' health histories for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in society, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses which hire more than half of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Exist a million considerations I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning very well. I understand that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, despite increased taxation required, would remain a superior and less expensive strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs but providing access to everyone.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. We rank significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, based on major studies. Maybe one positive aspect amid current situation could be that we take serious examination in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes are necessary.