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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Choosing the appropriate medical coverage for companies – or for our families – seems like it requires a PhD in healthcare.

Our Healthcare System Isn't Just Complicated, It Is Costly

Based on a recent study, the average family pays $27,000 annually for their health insurance (increasing by 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now the government is shut down due to partisan disputes over subsidies that experts say will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage here in America? I'm convinced we're approaching that point since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. The way medical professionals get paid changes. Trust me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would require contributions from both employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker making average wages must contribute about 5.3% toward medical coverage. The company must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear like a lot? Not if you contrast that with what the typical American pays. I know dozens of businesses that are routinely paying anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that with comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover retirement benefits, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting medical services. When you add these expenses compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

For America, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It ought to be means-based – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. There would be both worker and company payments. And, like much of our government's defense, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the program could be managed by private contractors instead of a government office.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program would be a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would put us on a level playing field with our larger competitors that can pay for better plans. It would make administration significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler for us to budget our yearly costs, rather than enduring the complex (and fruitless) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding about benefits among workers – contrasted with the current system which require them to decipher the complications of existing plans. And there would certainly be reduced responsibility for companies as we no longer would be privy to our employees' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as they get. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for small businesses that employ the majority of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It enables for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning effectively. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, despite the additional taxes required, 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 our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, based on major studies. Perhaps a bright spot in this present circumstances is that we take serious examination in the mirror and agree that big changes need to happen.