🔗 Share this article

Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. SHOP. Single coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who comprehends all this stuff? Not the typical business owner. Neither the average worker. Choosing the right medical coverage for our business – or for households – appears to require it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

The Medical System Isn't Just Complex, It Is Costly

Based on recent research, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is projected to surpass $17,000 for each worker by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Currently federal operations is shut down because political disagreements over tax credits that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

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

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers get paid changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require contributions from both employees and employers. In similar programs, a worker earning average wages pays approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Unless you compare it to what the typical US resident spends. I can name multiple clients who are routinely paying anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that with inclusive programs, those payments include retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits in addition to funding medical services. When you add these expenses compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution in the US

For America, a national health premium would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It ought to be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. There would be both worker and employer contribution. And, like much of our government's military, technology, social programs and infrastructure, the program should be outsourced by private contractors instead of a government office.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage would be a huge benefit for small businesses such as my company. It would put us on a level playing field with our larger competitors that can pay for better plans. It would render management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complicated (and fruitless) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – contrasted with the current system where they have to interpret the complexities of current options. And there would definitely exist less liability for employers since we wouldn't would be privy to our employees' medical records for risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that government play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, despite the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a superior and less expensive approach both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank well below many other countries with the best healthcare globally, according to major studies. Perhaps a bright spot amid present circumstances could be that we undertake serious examination in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.