🔗 Share this article

Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who comprehends all this stuff? Not the typical business owner. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the right medical coverage for our business – or for our families – appears to require demands a PhD in healthcare.

The Healthcare System Isn't Just Complicated, It's Costly

According to a recent study, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand each year for their health insurance (increasing by 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to surpass $seventeen thousand for each worker in 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Currently the government is shut down because partisan disputes regarding tax credits that experts say will lead to a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I have to believe we're approaching that point because this can't continue.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. How our healthcare providers get paid would change. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would need payments from both employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee earning moderate income must contribute approximately five point three percent to their healthcare. Their employer must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you contrast that with what the typical US resident spends. I can name dozens of clients who are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. And keep in mind that in inclusive programs, those payments also cover pension plans, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection along with supporting medical services. When you add those costs versus what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. There would be both worker and employer contribution. And, like many our government's defense, IT, social programs and transportation services, the program could be managed by private contractors rather than a government office.

Benefits for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would place us on a level playing field with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would make administration significantly simpler (a payroll deduction remitted like retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would make simpler to plan expenses our yearly costs, rather than going through the complex (and ineffective) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding of coverage by our employees – contrasted with existing arrangements which require them to interpret the complications of current options. And there would certainly be less liability for companies as we no longer have access to our employees' health histories for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as they get. However I recognize that government has a significant role in our lives, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, simpler approach for entrepreneurs that employ more than half of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It enables for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes are easier to implement. However extending Medicare for all, despite increased taxation required, would still be a better and more affordable approach for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to tone down national pride. America's medical care isn't exceptional. The US places well below numerous nations in healthcare quality globally, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot amid current situation is that we undertake serious examination in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes are necessary.