🔗 Share this article

Deductibles. In-network. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. HRA. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends 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 it requires advanced expertise in medical insurance.

The Healthcare System Isn't Just Complicated, It Is Expensive

According to recent research, the average family pays $twenty-seven thousand each year on medical coverage (increasing by 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $17,000 per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now the government has ceased functioning because partisan disputes over subsidies that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we seriously consider a national health insurance program here in America? I have to believe we're approaching that point since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. The way our healthcare providers receive payment would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would need payments from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee making average wages must contribute approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you compare that with what average US resident spends. I know dozens of businesses who are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, those payments include retirement benefits, sick pay, parental benefits and job loss protection along with funding healthcare facilities. When you add those costs versus our current spending on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation in the US

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than those earning less. There would be both worker and company payments. Similar to many our government's defense, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the program should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors that can pay for better plans. It would render administration significantly simpler (a payroll deduction remitted like retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier for us to budget annual expenditures, rather than going through the complicated (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with the big insurance providers required annually every year. Because it's simplified, there would be improved comprehension about benefits by our employees – contrasted with existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complications of current options. Additionally there would certainly be less liability for employers since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' medical records for purposes of risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that public institutions has a significant role in our lives, including national security to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs which hire more than half of American employees and fund half the economic output. It enables employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Exist numerous factors I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses we've seen recently, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes are easier to implement. But expanding universal Medicare, despite increased taxation required, would still be a better and more affordable strategy both for controlling healthcare costs but providing access to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare globally, according to major studies. Maybe one bright spot in this current situation is that we take a hard look in the mirror and agree that major reforms are necessary.