🔗 Share this article

Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. SHOP. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – appears to require demands advanced expertise in medical insurance.

The Healthcare System Is More Than Complex, It's Expensive

Based on a recent study, the average family spends $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (increasing by 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Now federal operations is shut down due to partisan disputes over subsidies that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. How medical professionals receive payment would change. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How Universal Coverage Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would need contributions from both workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee earning moderate income pays approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer pays about 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you contrast it to what average American pays. I can name dozens of clients that are routinely paying anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs for medical benefits. Remember that in inclusive programs, these contributions also cover pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When you add these expenses compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

For America, a national health premium would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and company payments. And, like many federal defense, IT, social programs and infrastructure, the program should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors that can pay for better plans. It would make administration significantly simpler (a payroll deduction remitted like retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would make it easier for us to budget our yearly costs, instead of going through the complex (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with major insurers required annually each year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding about benefits among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for companies as we no longer have access to our employees' medical records for purposes of weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that government play important functions in our lives, including national security to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It enables for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with rising medical expenses experienced in recent years, 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. However extending Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes required, would remain a superior and less expensive strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs but providing access for all citizens.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank well below numerous nations in healthcare quality globally, based on comprehensive research. Perhaps a bright spot in this present circumstances is that we take a hard look in the mirror and agree that big changes are necessary.