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Baffled? You should be. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Choosing the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – seems like demands a PhD in medical insurance.

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

Based on a recent study, the average family spends $27,000 annually for their health insurance (increasing by 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $17,000 per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning due to political disagreements regarding subsidies which analysts predict could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider 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 suggesting national healthcare. I'm proposing for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to cover everyone. The existing system doesn't change. How our healthcare providers get paid would change. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from both employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker making average wages must contribute about 5.3% toward medical coverage. The company must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Unless you compare that with what average US resident spends. I know multiple clients that are routinely paying between 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. Remember that in inclusive programs, these contributions also cover pension plans, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to supporting healthcare facilities. When you add these expenses compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

For America, a national health premium would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and company payments. Similar to many federal military, technology, social programs and transportation services, the program could be managed by private contractors instead of a government office.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would make management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than enduring the complicated (and fruitless) process of bargaining with major insurers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would be improved comprehension of coverage among workers – as opposed to the current system which require them to decipher the complications of existing plans. And there would certainly be less liability for employers since we wouldn't have access to our employees' medical records for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. But I've learned that government play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs that employ 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 be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. I understand that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, despite increased taxation required, would remain a better and less expensive strategy both for managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. The US places well below numerous nations with the best healthcare in the world, according to major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect in this present circumstances could be that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and agree that major reforms are necessary.