🔗 Share this article

Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average employee. Selecting the appropriate medical coverage for our business – or for our families – appears to require it requires a PhD in healthcare.

The Healthcare System Isn't Just Complicated, It's Expensive

According to a recent study, typical households spends $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (increasing by 6% from last year). The average employer health insurance cost is expected to surpass $seventeen thousand for each worker in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Now the government is shut down because political disagreements over subsidies which analysts predict will lead to a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program in the United States? I'm convinced we're approaching that point since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to include all citizens. The existing system remains intact. How medical professionals receive payment changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

How Universal Coverage Could Function

A national health insurance program would need contributions from both employees and employers. In similar programs, a worker earning average wages pays approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear like a lot? Unless you compare that with what the typical American pays. I can name dozens of businesses that are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that with comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover retirement benefits, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with supporting medical services. When you add those costs versus what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution in the US

In the US, a national health premium would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system that is already in place. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. This includes both an employee and company payments. Similar to much of federal defense, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the system should be outsourced by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program would be a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would place small companies in equal competition against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would render administration much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses our yearly costs, instead of going through the complicated (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding about benefits among workers – contrasted with the current system which require them to interpret the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for companies as we no longer have access to workers' health histories for risk assessment and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage to all through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, easier system for entrepreneurs that employ more than half of the country's workers and generate half the economic output. It enables employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses experienced in recent years, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning very well. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a better and more affordable strategy both for managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality globally, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot amid present circumstances is that we take serious examination at ourselves and agree that major reforms need to happen.