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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. SHOP. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical business owner. Neither the average employee. Selecting the appropriate medical coverage for companies – or for households – seems like it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

Our Healthcare System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Expensive

Based on a recent study, the average family pays $27,000 annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand for each worker by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently federal operations is shut down because political disagreements over subsidies that experts say will lead to a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage here in America? I'm convinced we're approaching that point because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to include all citizens. The existing system remains intact. The way our healthcare providers get paid changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would require contributions from employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker earning moderate income pays about five point three percent to their healthcare. Their employer must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear like a lot? Unless you compare that with what the typical US resident spends. I know multiple clients who are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, those payments include pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection along with supporting medical services. When you add those costs compared with what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution in the US

For America, a national health premium would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system that is already in place. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. This includes both an employee and company payments. Similar to much of federal defense, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the program should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Advantages for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents a significant advantage for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors that can pay for superior coverage. It would render administration much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier for us to budget our yearly costs, instead of going through the complex (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension of coverage among workers – as opposed to the current system where they have to decipher the complexities of existing plans. And there would certainly be less liability for employers as we no longer would be privy to workers' medical records for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system strengthens economic foundations. It represents superior, simpler approach for small businesses that employ more than half of American employees and generate half the economic output. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working very well. I understand that America isn't a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. However extending Medicare for all, despite the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a better and more affordable strategy both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality globally, based on comprehensive research. Perhaps a bright spot amid present circumstances is that we undertake serious examination in the mirror and agree that major reforms need to happen.