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Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. HDHP. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends this complex system? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average employee. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – appears to require it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

The Medical System Is More Than Complex, It's Costly

Based on recent research, the average family spends $twenty-seven thousand annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $17,000 for each worker by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning because partisan disputes over tax credits which analysts predict could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – merely extend to cover everyone. The existing system doesn't change. The way medical professionals get paid would change. Believe me, they'll adapt.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would require payments from both workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee making average wages pays approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you compare it to what the typical US resident spends. I know multiple clients who are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that with comprehensive systems, those payments include retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to funding medical services. When including these expenses versus what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Execution for America

For America, a national health premium would increase existing Medicare taxes, a framework that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. And, like much of our government's defense, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the program could be managed to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would make administration much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complicated (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually every year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding of coverage among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complications of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for employers as we no longer would be privy to our employees' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in our lives, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, easier system for entrepreneurs that employ more than half of American employees and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced recently, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning very well. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes required, would remain a better and less expensive strategy for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality globally, based on major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect in this current situation is that we take a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes are necessary.