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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average worker. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – appears to require it requires a PhD in healthcare.

Our Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Costly

According to a recent study, the average family pays $twenty-seven thousand each year on medical coverage (up 6% compared to last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $17,000 per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently the government is shut down due to partisan disputes over tax credits that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% 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 have to believe we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. How medical professionals receive payment changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require contributions from both workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker making moderate income must contribute approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem like a lot? Unless you compare it to what the typical US resident spends. I know dozens of businesses who are routinely paying between 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that in inclusive programs, these contributions include retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits in addition to funding medical services. When including these expenses versus our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

For America, a national health premium would raise existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to many our government's military, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the system could be managed by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for small businesses such as my company. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would render administration much easier (a payroll deduction remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would enable simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of going through the complex (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with major insurers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding about benefits among workers – as opposed to the current system where they have to decipher the complications of current options. And there would definitely exist less liability for employers as we no longer would be privy to our employees' medical records for risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. But I've learned that government play important functions in society, including national security to supporting essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage to all via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for small businesses that employ the majority of the country's workers and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Certainly. Given all the healthcare cost increases experienced recently, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where big changes are easier to implement. But expanding universal Medicare, even with increased taxation required, would still be a better and more affordable strategy for not only managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, must tone down our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. The US places significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality globally, according to comprehensive research. Perhaps a bright spot in this current situation is that we take a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.