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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average employee. Choosing the right medical coverage for our business – or for households – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in medical insurance.

The Healthcare System Is More Than Complex, It Is Costly

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

Currently the government is shut down because partisan disputes regarding subsidies that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Might We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program in the United States? I have to believe we're approaching that point since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way medical professionals get paid changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

The Way Universal Coverage Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would need contributions from workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee making moderate income pays approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. The company pays about 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Unless you contrast it to what the typical American pays. I can name dozens of clients that are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, those payments include pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with supporting medical services. When you add these expenses compared with our current spending on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It ought to be means-based – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. There would be both worker and company payments. Similar to much of our government's defense, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the program should be outsourced by private contractors instead of a government office.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would make management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction remitted like retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would make it easier for us to budget our yearly costs, instead of enduring the complex (and ineffective) theater of negotiating with major insurers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would be improved comprehension of coverage among workers – contrasted with the current system where they have to interpret the complexities of current options. And there would certainly be less liability for companies as we no longer would be privy to our employees' health histories for purposes of risk assessment and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that government play important functions in society, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage to all through a national insurance system strengthens economic foundations. It represents superior, simpler approach for small businesses which hire the majority of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It enables for workers to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses experienced in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, despite increased taxation that would be incurred, would remain a better and less expensive strategy both for managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. The US places significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare globally, according to major studies. Maybe one positive aspect amid present circumstances is that we take a hard look at ourselves and agree that major reforms need to happen.