🔗 Share this article

Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. ACA. HMO. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Choosing the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – seems like demands a PhD in healthcare.

Our Medical System Isn't Just Complex, It's Costly

Based on recent research, typical households pays $27,000 each year on medical coverage (increasing by 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $17,000 per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently federal operations is shut down due to partisan disputes regarding subsidies which analysts predict could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider 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 since this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. The existing system remains intact. The way our healthcare providers receive payment would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would need payments from both employees and employers. In comparable systems, an employee earning average wages pays approximately five point three percent to their healthcare. Their employer pays about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear like a lot? Not if you contrast it to what the typical US resident spends. I know dozens of clients who are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that in comprehensive systems, those payments include pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection along with funding healthcare facilities. When including these expenses compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Implementation for America

For America, a national health premium would increase existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It should be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. There would be both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to much of our government's military, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the system should be outsourced by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for entrepreneurs like mine. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for better plans. It would render management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, instead of going through the complex (and ineffective) theater of negotiating with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding of coverage by our employees – contrasted with existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complexities of existing plans. And there would certainly be reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' health histories for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that government play important functions in our lives, including national security to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage to all via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It represents superior, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire more than half of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It enables employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. Given rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working very well. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a superior and more affordable strategy both for managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, must tone down our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. The US places well below numerous nations in healthcare quality globally, according to major studies. Perhaps a bright spot in this present circumstances could be that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.