🔗 Share this article

Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. POS. 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? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical business owner. Neither the average worker. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – seems like it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

The Healthcare System Is More Than Complicated, It's Expensive

Based on a recent study, typical households spends $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to surpass $seventeen thousand for each worker in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently federal operations is shut down due to partisan disputes over subsidies which analysts predict will lead to 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 have to believe we're getting closer because this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. The existing system remains intact. The way our healthcare providers get paid changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

A national health insurance program would require payments from employees and employers. In similar programs, a worker making average wages pays approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. The company must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you contrast it to what average US resident spends. I know multiple businesses who are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that in comprehensive systems, these contributions include retirement benefits, illness coverage, parental benefits and unemployment benefits in addition to funding medical services. When including these expenses versus what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. This includes both worker and employer contribution. Similar to many federal military, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the system could be managed by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would place small companies in equal competition against big corporations that can pay for better plans. It would render administration significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would enable simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, rather than going through the complex (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with major insurers required annually every year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding of coverage among workers – contrasted with the current system where they have to interpret the complications of current options. Additionally there would certainly be less liability for companies as we no longer have access to workers' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that government play important functions in society, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage to all through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, easier system for small businesses which hire more than half of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working very well. I understand that we're not a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, even with increased taxation that would be incurred, would still be a superior and less expensive strategy for not only managing medical expenses but providing access for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, must tone down national pride. America's medical care isn't exceptional. The US places well below many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, according to comprehensive research. Perhaps a bright spot in this present circumstances is that we take serious examination at ourselves and agree that big changes need to happen.