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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. HDHP. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – seems like it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

Our Medical System Is More Than Complex, It Is Expensive

Based on recent research, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand each year for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently federal operations is shut down due to political disagreements regarding subsidies that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program here in America? I have to believe we're approaching that point since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to cover everyone. Our infrastructure remains intact. How medical professionals get paid changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

How Universal Coverage Could Function

A national health insurance program would need contributions from workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker making average wages pays about five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer pays about 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Unless you compare that with what average American pays. I can name dozens of clients who are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. Remember that with inclusive programs, these contributions also cover retirement benefits, sick pay, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to supporting medical services. When you add these expenses compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution in the US

For America, a national health premium would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. This includes both worker and employer contribution. And, like much of our government's military, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the system should be outsourced by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would render administration much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of going through the complex (and fruitless) process of bargaining with major insurers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding about benefits by our employees – as opposed to the current system which require them to decipher the complexities of current options. Additionally there would certainly be less liability for companies as we no longer would be privy to our employees' health histories for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in society, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, easier system for small businesses which hire the majority of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Exist a million considerations I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses we've seen recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, despite the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a better and more affordable strategy for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. The US places significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality globally, based on major studies. Maybe one positive aspect in this current situation could be that we take serious examination at ourselves and agree that major reforms need to happen.