🔗 Share this article

Deductibles. In-network. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – seems like it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

The Healthcare System Is More Than Complex, It Is Costly

Based on a recent study, the average family spends $twenty-seven thousand each year for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Currently federal operations has ceased functioning because partisan disputes regarding subsidies that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program in the United States? I'm convinced we're approaching that point because this can't continue.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare system – an established insurance framework – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How medical professionals receive payment would change. Believe me, they will adjust.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would need payments from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker earning moderate income must contribute about 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you contrast it to what average American pays. I can name multiple clients that are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that in inclusive programs, those payments include pension plans, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When including these expenses versus what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

For America, a national health premium would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. There would be both worker and company payments. And, like many federal military, technology, social programs and transportation services, the system could be managed by private contractors instead of a government office.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would place small companies in equal competition against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would make administration significantly simpler (a payroll deduction remitted like retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than going through the complicated (and fruitless) process of negotiating with major insurers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding of coverage by our employees – contrasted with existing arrangements which require them to interpret the complications of existing plans. And there would certainly be less liability for companies as we no longer would be privy to our employees' medical records for purposes of risk assessment and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. However I recognize that government play important functions in society, including national security to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It represents superior, simpler approach for small businesses which hire the majority of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to enjoy better health, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Exist a million considerations I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with rising medical expenses we've seen in recent years, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working very well. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, even with increased taxation required, would still be a superior and less expensive strategy for not only managing medical expenses but providing access for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't so great. The US places significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality globally, according to major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect amid current situation is that we undertake serious examination in the mirror and agree that major reforms need to happen.