🔗 Share this article

Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. SHOP. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical business owner. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in medical insurance.

The Medical System Isn't Just Complicated, It Is Expensive

Based on a recent study, the average family spends $27,000 each year for their health insurance (increasing by 6% from last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to surpass $17,000 for each worker in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

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

When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

When will we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're approaching that point since this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an established insurance framework – merely extend to cover everyone. Our infrastructure remains intact. How medical professionals receive payment changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would need contributions from both employees and employers. In similar programs, a worker earning moderate income pays about 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you compare it to what the typical US resident spends. I can name multiple businesses who are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, these contributions include retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When you add these expenses compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

For America, a national health premium would raise existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to many federal military, IT, social programs and transportation services, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford better plans. It would make management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would make simpler for us to budget our yearly costs, rather than going through the complicated (and fruitless) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complexities of existing plans. And there would certainly be less liability for employers as we no longer have access to our employees' medical records for purposes of risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that government play important functions in society, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone through a national insurance system enhances economic foundations. It represents superior, simpler approach for small businesses that employ more than half of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I'm not addressing? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses experienced in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning effectively. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, despite increased taxation that would be incurred, would remain a superior and less expensive approach both for controlling healthcare costs but providing access 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 with the best healthcare globally, based on major studies. Perhaps a bright spot amid present circumstances could be that we take a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.