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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. HDHP. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. COBRA. SHOP. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Choosing the appropriate medical coverage for our business – or for households – appears to require demands advanced expertise in healthcare.

The Medical System Is More Than Complex, It Is Expensive

According to recent research, typical households spends $27,000 annually for their health insurance (increasing by 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is projected to surpass $seventeen thousand for each worker by 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Now federal operations is shut down due to political disagreements regarding tax credits 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 have to believe we're approaching that point since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. The existing system doesn't change. The way medical professionals get paid changes. Trust me, they will adjust.

How National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from employees and employers. In similar programs, a worker earning average wages must contribute approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer pays about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Unless you contrast that with what average US resident spends. I know dozens of clients who are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that in inclusive programs, those payments include pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When including those costs compared with what we pay on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

For America, a national health premium would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. There would be both worker and employer contribution. Similar to many federal military, IT, social programs and transportation services, the program should be outsourced by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would render administration significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses our yearly costs, rather than enduring the complex (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding about benefits among workers – contrasted with the current system which require them to interpret the complications of current options. And there would certainly be less liability for employers as we no longer would be privy to workers' medical records for purposes of risk assessment and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. But I've learned that government play important functions in society, including national security to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire more than half of American employees and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. Given rising medical expenses experienced in recent years, it's evident 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 Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes required, would still be a better and less expensive approach for not only controlling healthcare costs but providing access to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. We rank well below numerous nations with the best healthcare in the world, based on comprehensive research. Perhaps a positive aspect in this present circumstances could be that we take a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.