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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical business owner. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the appropriate medical coverage for our business – or for our families – seems like demands advanced expertise in healthcare.

Our Healthcare System Is More Than Complex, It Is Costly

According to a recent study, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand annually on medical coverage (up 6% compared to last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Now the government is shut down because partisan disputes regarding tax credits that experts say will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider a national health insurance program in the United States? I have to believe we're approaching that point since this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – merely extend to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How our healthcare providers get paid would change. Trust me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from both employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee making average wages pays approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer pays about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you compare it to what the typical US resident spends. I can name dozens of businesses who are routinely paying between eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs for medical benefits. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, those payments include retirement benefits, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When you add those costs versus our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

For America, a national health premium would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework already established. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. There would be both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to many our government's military, IT, social programs and infrastructure, the system could be managed to third-party administrators instead of 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 that can pay for better plans. It would render administration significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, instead of individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complex (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with the big insurance providers required annually every year. Because it's simplified, there would be improved comprehension about benefits among workers – as opposed to the current system where they have to decipher the complexities of current options. And there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for employers as we no longer would be privy to workers' health histories for weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as they get. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in our lives, including national security to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for small businesses that employ the majority of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning very well. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a better and more affordable strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

As Americans, must tone down national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank well below numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect in this present circumstances is that we take serious examination in the mirror and agree that big changes are necessary.