🔗 Share this article

Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Not the typical business owner. Neither the average employee. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – seems like demands advanced expertise in healthcare.

The Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Costly

According to a recent study, the average family spends $27,000 annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to surpass $17,000 per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Currently federal operations has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes over subsidies that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

When will we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're approaching that point since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm proposing for our current Medicare system – an established insurance framework – merely extend to include all citizens. The existing system doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

How National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need contributions from workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker making moderate income must contribute about five point three percent to their healthcare. The company pays about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Unless you contrast that with what the typical American pays. I know dozens of businesses who are routinely paying between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that with inclusive programs, these contributions also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection along with supporting healthcare facilities. When including these expenses compared with our current spending on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution in the US

For America, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. It ought to be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would pay more than those earning less. There would be both an employee and employer contribution. And, like many our government's military, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the program should be outsourced by private contractors instead of a government office.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

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 (a payroll deduction remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of going through the complex (and ineffective) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits among workers – contrasted with existing arrangements which require them to interpret the complexities of existing plans. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for companies as we no longer would be privy to our employees' medical records for purposes of weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in society, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system enhances economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs which hire more than half of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It enables for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. I understand that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, despite increased taxation required, would remain a superior and more affordable strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs but providing access for all citizens.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. The US places well below numerous nations with the best healthcare in the world, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot amid present circumstances is that we take serious examination in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.