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Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. SHOP. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? It's understandable. Who comprehends this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the appropriate medical coverage for companies – or for our families – seems like it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

Our Healthcare System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Expensive

According to a recent study, the average family spends $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (increasing by 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $seventeen thousand for each worker by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Now the government is shut down due to partisan disputes over subsidies that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I have to believe we're getting closer because this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare program – an established insurance framework – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How our healthcare providers get paid changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

A national health insurance program would require payments from workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker making average wages must contribute approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you contrast it to what average American pays. I can name multiple clients that are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, these contributions include pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits in addition to funding medical services. When including these expenses versus what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

For America, a national health premium would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework that is already in place. It ought to be means-based – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and company payments. Similar to much of federal military, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would put us on a level playing field with our larger competitors that can pay for better plans. It would make administration much easier (a payroll deduction remitted like retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would make it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than going through the complex (and fruitless) process of negotiating with major insurers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding about benefits among workers – as opposed to the current system where they have to interpret the complexities of existing plans. And there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for employers since we wouldn't have access to workers' health histories for purposes of risk assessment and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as they get. However I recognize that government play important functions in society, 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 entrepreneurs that employ the majority of the country's workers and generate half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, come to work more often 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 clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning effectively. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, despite increased taxation required, would still be a superior and less expensive approach both for controlling healthcare costs but providing access for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to tone down national pride. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank significantly behind numerous nations with the best healthcare in the world, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot in this present circumstances could be that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and agree that major reforms need to happen.