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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Not the typical business owner. Neither the average worker. Choosing the right medical coverage for companies – or for households – appears to require demands a PhD in medical insurance.

Our Medical System Isn't Just Complicated, It Is Expensive

According to a recent study, the average family pays $27,000 each year on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). The average employer health insurance cost is expected to surpass $17,000 per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now federal operations has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes regarding subsidies which analysts predict could cause a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – merely extend to cover everyone. The existing system doesn't change. The way medical professionals receive payment changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

The Way National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would require contributions from both workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee earning moderate income must contribute approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. The company must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you contrast that with what the typical American pays. I know dozens of businesses who are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, those payments include retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to supporting healthcare facilities. When including these expenses versus our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework that is already in place. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and company payments. Similar to many our government's military, IT, social programs and infrastructure, the program could be managed by private contractors instead of a government office.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for small businesses such as my company. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford better plans. It would render administration much easier (a payroll deduction remitted like social security and Medicare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, instead of going through the complex (and ineffective) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding of coverage among workers – as opposed to the current system which require them to decipher the complexities of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for employers since we wouldn't would be privy to our employees' health histories for weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that government play important functions in society, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses which hire the majority of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. 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. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes required, would still be a superior and more affordable strategy both for managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

As Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. The US places significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, according to major studies. Perhaps a bright spot in this present circumstances could be that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and agree that major reforms are necessary.