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Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. HDHP. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? You should be. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – seems like it requires a PhD in healthcare.

The Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It's Costly

According to recent research, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand each year 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 from 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning because political disagreements regarding subsidies that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program here in America? I have to believe we're getting closer because this can't continue.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare program – an established insurance framework – merely extend to cover everyone. Our infrastructure remains intact. How medical professionals get paid would change. Believe me, they will adjust.

How National Health Insurance Would Work

A national health insurance program would require contributions from employees and employers. In comparable systems, an employee earning moderate income pays about 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this appear like a lot? Not if you contrast it to what average US resident spends. I can name dozens of businesses who are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that in inclusive programs, these contributions also cover pension plans, illness coverage, parental benefits and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting medical services. When you add these expenses compared with what we pay on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution in the US

For America, a national health premium would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It ought to be means-based – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. There would be both worker and company payments. Similar to much of our government's military, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the system should be outsourced by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would place small companies in equal competition against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would make administration much easier (a payroll deduction remitted like retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of going through the complex (and ineffective) process of negotiating with major insurers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would be improved comprehension about benefits among workers – contrasted with existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complications of current options. And there would certainly be less liability for companies as we no longer would be privy to workers' health histories for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that public institutions has a significant role in our lives, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for small businesses which hire more than half of American employees and generate half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Exist a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending Medicare for all, despite the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a superior and less expensive approach both for managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank well below many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, based on major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect in this current situation could be that we take serious examination at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.