🔗 Share this article

Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the appropriate medical coverage for companies – or for households – seems like demands advanced expertise in medical insurance.

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

According to a recent study, typical households spends $27,000 each year for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Currently the government is shut down because political disagreements regarding tax credits which analysts predict will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – merely extend to cover everyone. The existing system doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

How Universal Coverage Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would require contributions from employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee making moderate income pays about five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you compare it to what the typical American pays. I can name dozens of businesses who are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, those payments also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When including those costs compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Execution in the US

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework already established. It should be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. There would be both an employee and employer contribution. And, like many our government's military, technology, social programs and transportation services, the system could be managed by private contractors rather than a government office.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would render management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would make it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, instead of enduring the complicated (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with major insurers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding of coverage among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complexities of current options. Additionally there would certainly be reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' medical records for purposes of risk assessment and different options.

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 supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, easier system for small businesses which hire more than half of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It enables employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, despite increased taxation required, would still be a better and less expensive strategy both for managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, must tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank well below numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, according to comprehensive research. Perhaps a bright spot in this present circumstances could be that we take serious examination at ourselves and agree that big changes are necessary.