🔗 Share this article

Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? You should be. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Choosing the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – appears to require it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

Our Healthcare System Isn't Just Complicated, It Is Costly

According to a recent study, typical households spends $twenty-seven thousand annually on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand for each worker in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Currently the government is shut down because political disagreements regarding tax credits which analysts predict could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we seriously consider a national health insurance program in the United States? I'm convinced 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 established insurance framework – merely extend to cover everyone. The existing system doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers receive payment would change. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee making average wages must contribute approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer pays about 13.75%.

Does this appear like a lot? Unless you contrast that with what average American pays. I can name dozens of businesses who are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that in comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover pension plans, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When including those costs compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation 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 means-based – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. There would be both an employee and company payments. And, like much of our government's defense, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the system could be managed to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put us on a level playing field with our larger competitors that can pay for superior coverage. It would make administration much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would make simpler for us to budget our yearly costs, instead of going through the complex (and ineffective) theater of negotiating with major insurers required annually each year. Due to simplification, there would exist improved comprehension of coverage among workers – contrasted with the current system which require them to interpret the complexities of existing plans. And there would definitely exist less liability for employers since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' medical records for weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as they get. However I recognize that government has a significant role in our lives, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system enhances economic foundations. It represents superior, easier system for entrepreneurs that employ more than half of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Exist a million considerations I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses we've seen recently, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. I understand that America isn't a compact European nation where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding universal Medicare, even with increased taxation required, would still be a superior and less expensive approach both for managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, must tone down our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality globally, based on comprehensive research. Perhaps a positive aspect in this present circumstances is that we take serious examination at ourselves and agree that major reforms are necessary.