🔗 Share this article

Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who comprehends this complex system? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical worker. Choosing the right medical coverage for companies – or for our families – seems like demands advanced expertise in medical insurance.

Our Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It's Expensive

Based on a recent study, typical households pays $27,000 annually for their health insurance (increasing by 6% from last year). The average employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $17,000 for each worker by 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Currently federal operations is shut down because political disagreements regarding tax credits that experts say will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Might We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program here in America? I have to believe we're getting closer since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – merely extend to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers get paid changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would need contributions from workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker making average wages must contribute about 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear like a lot? Unless you compare that with what average American pays. I can name multiple clients that are routinely paying between 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that with inclusive programs, these contributions include pension plans, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to funding medical services. When you add these expenses compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution in the US

In the US, a national health premium would increase existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It ought to be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. And, like much of federal military, technology, social programs and infrastructure, the system could be managed by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would make administration significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than separate payments to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would enable simpler for us to budget our yearly costs, instead of enduring the complicated (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually every year. Due to simplification, there would be improved comprehension of coverage among workers – contrasted with existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complications of current options. And there would definitely exist less liability for employers as we no longer would be privy to workers' health histories for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that government has a significant role in our lives, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs that employ more than half of American employees and generate half the economic output. It enables employees to be healthier, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Exist numerous factors I haven't covered? Certainly. 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 can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, despite 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 reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality globally, based on major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect in this present circumstances could be that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.