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Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. HDHP. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. SHOP. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Choosing the right medical coverage for our business – or for households – seems like it requires advanced expertise in medical insurance.

Our Medical System Isn't Just Complicated, It's Costly

According to a recent study, typical households spends $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (increasing by 6% compared to last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Currently federal operations has ceased functioning 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?

How soon might we seriously consider 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 government-run medicine. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. The existing system remains intact. How medical professionals get paid would change. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Would Work

A national health insurance program would need contributions from employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker making moderate income must contribute about 5.3% to their healthcare. The company must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you contrast that with what average American pays. I can name multiple clients that are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. And keep in mind that in inclusive programs, those payments also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with supporting medical services. When you add those costs versus what we pay on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a framework that is already in place. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to much of our government's military, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the system could be managed by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program would be a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would place us on a level playing field with our larger competitors that can pay for better plans. It would make management much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complicated (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding of coverage by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complications of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't have access to our employees' medical records for purposes of risk assessment and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that government play important functions in society, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, simpler approach for entrepreneurs which hire more than half of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Exist numerous factors I'm not addressing? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. I understand that America isn't a compact European nation where big changes are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, even with increased taxation that would be incurred, would still be a superior and less expensive strategy both for controlling healthcare costs but providing access to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank well below many other countries with the best healthcare globally, based on comprehensive research. Perhaps a bright spot amid current situation is that we take serious examination at ourselves and agree that major reforms need to happen.