🔗 Share this article

Deductibles. In-network. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. HRA. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who comprehends this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Choosing the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in medical insurance.

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

Based on a recent study, the average family spends $27,000 each year on medical coverage (up 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Now federal operations has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes over subsidies which analysts predict will lead to a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider a national health insurance program in the United States? I'm convinced we're getting closer because this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. The way medical professionals get paid would change. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would require payments from both workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker earning average wages pays about 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem like a lot? Unless you compare it to what the typical US resident spends. I know dozens of businesses who are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that with comprehensive systems, these contributions include pension plans, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection 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 difference decreases.

Implementation in the US

In the US, a national health premium would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to much of our government's defense, IT, welfare services 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 significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would place small companies in equal competition against big corporations that can pay for better plans. It would render management much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable simpler for us to budget our yearly costs, rather than going through the complex (and fruitless) process of bargaining with major insurers required annually each year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding of coverage among workers – contrasted with existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complications of existing plans. And there would certainly be less liability for companies as we no longer have access to workers' medical records for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that government has a significant role in society, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses which hire more than half of American employees and generate half the economic output. It enables 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. Given all the healthcare cost increases experienced recently, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning very well. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where big changes are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a better and less expensive approach both for controlling healthcare costs but providing access for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. The US places significantly behind numerous nations with the best healthcare in the world, according to major studies. Maybe one bright spot amid current situation could be that we take serious examination at ourselves and agree that major reforms need to happen.