🔗 Share this article

Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? You should be. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the right medical coverage for companies – or for our families – seems like demands advanced expertise in medical insurance.

The Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Expensive

According to recent research, the average family pays $27,000 each year for their health insurance (increasing by 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to surpass $17,000 per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Currently federal operations is shut down due to political disagreements over subsidies which analysts predict could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program in the United States? I'm convinced we're approaching that point because this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. How medical professionals get paid would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require contributions from employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee earning moderate income must contribute about 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you contrast it to what the typical US resident spends. I can name dozens of clients that are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, those payments also cover pension plans, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with supporting healthcare facilities. When you add those costs compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and employer contribution. And, like many our government's military, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the program should be outsourced by private contractors instead of a government office.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would make administration much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, instead of separate payments to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would make simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of going through the complicated (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding about benefits among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complications of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' health histories for purposes of risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that government has a significant role in society, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system enhances economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for small businesses which hire more than half of American employees and fund half the economic output. It enables employees to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Exist numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where big changes are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes required, would still be a better and less expensive approach for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank well below many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, based on major studies. Maybe one bright spot in this present circumstances is that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes are necessary.