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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. ACA. HMO. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. HDHP. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. COBRA. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average employee. Selecting the appropriate medical coverage for our business – or for households – appears to require it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

Our Medical System Isn't Just Complex, It's Expensive

Based on recent research, typical households pays $27,000 each year on medical coverage (up 6% compared to last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is expected to surpass $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently federal operations has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes regarding tax credits which analysts predict will lead to a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program in the United States? I'm convinced we're getting closer since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare program – an established insurance framework – merely extend to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. How our healthcare providers receive payment would change. Believe me, they will adjust.

How National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker earning average wages must contribute about 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Unless you contrast it to what average US resident spends. I can name dozens of businesses that are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, those payments include retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection along with supporting medical services. When including these expenses versus our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and company payments. Similar to much of our government's defense, IT, social programs and transportation services, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would place small companies in equal competition against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would make management much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of going through the complicated (and ineffective) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would be improved comprehension about benefits by our employees – contrasted with existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complexities of current options. And there would certainly be reduced responsibility for employers as we no longer would be privy to workers' medical records for purposes of risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that government play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses which hire the majority of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. Given all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning effectively. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a better and less expensive strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs but providing access to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places significantly behind numerous nations with the best healthcare globally, according to major studies. Perhaps a bright spot in this present circumstances could be that we undertake serious examination in the mirror and agree that big changes are necessary.