🔗 Share this article

Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical business owner. Neither the average worker. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – seems like demands advanced expertise in healthcare.

Our Healthcare System Is More Than Complex, It Is Costly

According to recent research, the average family spends $twenty-seven thousand each year for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to surpass $seventeen thousand for each worker by 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Currently the government is shut down due to partisan disputes regarding subsidies that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we seriously consider 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 government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker making average wages pays approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. The company pays about 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Unless you compare it to what average US resident spends. I know dozens of clients that are routinely paying between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in inclusive programs, those payments also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection along with supporting medical services. When you add those costs versus our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution in the US

In the US, a national health premium would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to much of federal defense, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the program should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would make administration significantly simpler (a payroll deduction remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of going through the complicated (and ineffective) process of bargaining with major insurers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would be improved comprehension of coverage among workers – contrasted with the current system which require them to interpret the complications of current options. And there would definitely exist less liability for companies since we wouldn't have access to our employees' medical records for risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that government has a significant role in society, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of the country's workers and generate half the economic output. It enables for workers to enjoy better health, come to work more often and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses we've seen recently, 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 can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, even with increased taxation that would be incurred, would remain a superior and more affordable approach for not only controlling healthcare costs but providing access for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, must tone down our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. The US places significantly behind numerous nations with the best healthcare globally, based on major studies. Maybe one positive aspect amid present circumstances could be that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.