🔗 Share this article

Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. HMO. PPO. EPO. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the appropriate medical coverage for companies – or for households – seems like demands advanced expertise in medical insurance.

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

Based on a recent study, the average family spends $27,000 each year for their health insurance (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% compared to 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning due to political disagreements regarding tax credits which analysts predict will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program here in America? I'm convinced 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 insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure remains intact. How our healthcare providers get paid changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Would Work

A national health insurance program would require payments from workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker making average wages must contribute approximately five point three percent to their healthcare. Their employer must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you compare that with what the typical US resident spends. I know multiple clients that are routinely paying anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs for medical benefits. Remember that in inclusive programs, those payments also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection along with supporting medical services. When including those costs versus our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a framework already established. It ought to be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. There would be both worker and company payments. Similar to much of federal military, IT, social programs and transportation services, the program should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would render administration much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, instead of individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier for us to budget annual expenditures, rather than going through the complex (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually every year. Due to simplification, there would exist improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to interpret the complications of existing plans. And there would certainly be less liability for employers as we no longer would be privy to workers' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. However I recognize that government play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for small businesses which hire the majority of American employees and generate half the economic output. It makes it possible for workers to enjoy better health, have better attendance and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning effectively. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding universal Medicare, even with increased taxation required, would remain a superior and less expensive strategy both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, must tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality globally, according to major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect amid current situation could be that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and agree that big changes need to happen.