🔗 Share this article

Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. HDHP. HSA. FSA. HRA. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who comprehends this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – seems like it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

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

Based on a recent study, the average family spends $twenty-seven thousand annually on medical coverage (up 6% compared to last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $seventeen thousand for each worker by 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Currently the government is shut down because partisan disputes regarding tax credits that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're approaching that point since this situation is unsustainable.

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

How Universal Coverage Could Function

A national health insurance program would require contributions from employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee earning average wages must contribute approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you contrast it to what the typical US resident spends. I can name dozens of businesses that are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, these contributions include pension plans, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with supporting medical services. When including these expenses compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation in the US

For America, a national health premium would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It ought to be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. There would be both worker and employer contribution. Similar to many our government's defense, IT, social programs and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than a government office.

Benefits 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 with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would make administration significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and Medicare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of going through the complicated (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with major insurers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding about benefits by our employees – contrasted with existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complexities of current options. Additionally there would certainly be less liability for employers since we wouldn't have access to workers' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, simpler approach for small businesses that employ more than half of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It enables employees to be healthier, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Exist a million considerations I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced recently, 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 are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a superior and less expensive strategy both for controlling healthcare costs but providing access for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, must reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't exceptional. The US places well below many other countries with the best healthcare globally, based on major studies. Perhaps a bright spot in this current situation is that we take serious examination in the mirror and agree that big changes are necessary.