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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who comprehends all this stuff? Not the typical business owner. Neither the average worker. Selecting the right medical coverage for our business – or for households – seems like it requires a PhD in healthcare.

The Healthcare System Isn't Just Complex, It Is Expensive

According to a recent study, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand each year for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). Typical company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand for each worker by 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Currently the government is shut down because partisan disputes over tax credits which analysts predict will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider a national health insurance program here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an established insurance framework – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers get paid changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

A national health insurance program would require payments from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee earning average wages must contribute approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. The company must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Unless you compare that with what average American pays. I can name multiple businesses who are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs for medical benefits. And keep in mind that in inclusive programs, those payments also cover retirement benefits, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When including these expenses compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

For America, a national health premium would increase existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and company payments. Similar to many our government's military, IT, social programs and transportation services, the program should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would place us on a level playing field with our larger competitors who can afford better plans. It would render management much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of going through the complex (and fruitless) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding about benefits among workers – contrasted with existing arrangements which require them to interpret the complexities of existing plans. And there would definitely exist less liability for companies since we wouldn't have access to our employees' medical records for weighing risks and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that government play important functions in society, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses which hire the majority of the country's workers and generate half the economic output. It enables for workers to enjoy better health, come to work more often and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I'm not addressing? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses we've seen recently, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. I understand that America isn't a compact European nation where big changes are easier to implement. But expanding universal Medicare, even with increased taxation required, would remain a superior and more affordable strategy both for managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect amid current situation is that we take serious examination at ourselves and agree that major reforms need to happen.