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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. ACA. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

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

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

According to a recent study, the average family spends $27,000 each year on medical coverage (increasing by 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $17,000 for each worker by 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Now the government has ceased functioning because political disagreements regarding tax credits that experts say will lead to 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 since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. The way medical professionals get paid would change. Believe me, they'll adapt.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would need payments from employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee making average wages pays about five point three percent to their healthcare. The company must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Unless you compare it to what average American pays. I can name multiple businesses that are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover pension plans, illness coverage, parental benefits and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting medical services. When you add these expenses compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution in the US

For America, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It ought to be means-based – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and employer contribution. Similar to many federal defense, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the program could be managed by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors that can pay for better plans. It would make management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier for us to budget annual expenditures, rather than going through the complex (and ineffective) theater of negotiating with the big insurance providers required annually every year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding of coverage among workers – contrasted with the current system where they have to interpret the complications of current options. Additionally there would certainly be reduced responsibility for employers as we no longer would be privy to workers' health histories for risk assessment and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as they get. But I've learned that government play important functions in society, from providing defense to funding needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It represents superior, simpler approach for entrepreneurs that employ the majority of the country's workers and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Exist a million considerations I haven't covered? Of course there are. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced recently, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning effectively. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, despite increased taxation required, would still be a superior and less expensive strategy for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, we need to reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, based on comprehensive research. Perhaps a bright spot amid current situation could be that we take a hard look at ourselves and agree that major reforms are necessary.