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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. HDHP. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends this complex system? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – appears to require demands a PhD in healthcare.

The Medical System Is More Than Complex, It's Costly

According to a recent study, the average family spends $27,000 each year for their health insurance (up 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 has ceased functioning due to political disagreements over tax credits that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might 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 national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way medical professionals receive payment changes. Trust me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from both employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker earning moderate income pays about five point three percent toward medical coverage. The company pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you contrast it to what average US resident spends. I can name multiple businesses that are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, these contributions include retirement benefits, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When including these expenses versus our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

In the US, a national health premium would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It ought to be means-based – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. There would be both worker and employer contribution. And, like much of federal defense, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the program could be managed by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would put us on a level playing field with our larger competitors that can pay for better plans. It would render administration significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of going through the complex (and ineffective) theater of negotiating with major insurers 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 decipher the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for companies as we no longer have access to workers' medical records for purposes of weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as they get. However I recognize that public institutions has a significant role in society, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage to all through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for small businesses that employ the majority of American employees and generate 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? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses we've seen in recent years, it's evident that current healthcare legislation is not working very well. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. However extending Medicare for all, despite increased taxation that would be incurred, would still be a better and more affordable strategy for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, we need to tone down national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places well below many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect in this present circumstances could be that we take a hard look at ourselves and agree that major reforms are necessary.