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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical employee. Choosing the right medical coverage for our business – or for our families – seems like it requires advanced expertise in medical insurance.

Our Healthcare System Isn't Just Complex, It Is Expensive

According to recent research, the average family pays $27,000 each year for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). Typical company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Now the government has ceased functioning because partisan disputes over tax credits which analysts predict could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider a national health insurance program in the United States? I have to believe we're approaching that point since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an established insurance framework – merely extend to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. How our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Trust me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would need payments from both employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker making average wages pays approximately five point three percent to their healthcare. The company must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Unless you compare that with what average American pays. I know dozens of clients who are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that with comprehensive systems, those payments include pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with supporting healthcare facilities. When including those costs versus what we pay on retirement programs, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to many federal defense, technology, social programs and transportation services, the system could be managed by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for better plans. It would make management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than enduring the complex (and ineffective) process of negotiating with major insurers required annually each year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding about benefits among workers – as opposed to the current system where they have to decipher the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would certainly be less liability for employers since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' medical records for purposes of weighing risks and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in society, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage to all via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for small businesses which hire more than half of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning effectively. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, despite the additional taxes required, would still be a better and less expensive strategy both for managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

As Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot in this current situation is that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and agree that major reforms are necessary.