🔗 Share this article

Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. HDHP. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical worker. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – appears to require demands advanced expertise in medical insurance.

Our Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It's Expensive

Based on a recent study, the average family spends $27,000 annually for their health insurance (increasing by 6% compared to last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is projected to surpass $17,000 for each worker in 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning because political disagreements over tax credits which analysts predict will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I have to believe we're approaching that point because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare program – an established insurance framework – merely extend to include all citizens. The existing system doesn't change. How medical professionals receive payment changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require contributions from employees and employers. In comparable systems, an employee earning moderate income must contribute about five point three percent toward medical coverage. The company pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you compare it to what the typical US resident spends. I know multiple clients who are routinely paying between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages for medical benefits. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with supporting medical services. When including those costs compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. There would be both worker and company payments. Similar to many federal defense, technology, social programs and transportation services, the program could be managed to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Benefits for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would make management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complicated (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with major insurers required annually every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits among workers – contrasted with the current system where they have to interpret the complexities of current options. Additionally there would certainly be reduced responsibility for employers since we wouldn't would be privy to our employees' medical records for weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in society, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage to all through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, easier system for small businesses that employ more than half of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It enables for workers to enjoy better health, come to work more often and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Exist numerous factors I haven't covered? Certainly. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending Medicare for all, even with increased taxation required, would still be a superior and less expensive approach for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare globally, based on major studies. Maybe one positive aspect in this current situation could be that we take a hard look at ourselves and agree that major reforms need to happen.