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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. ACA. HMO. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average employee. Choosing the right medical coverage for companies – or for households – seems like demands a PhD in healthcare.

Our Healthcare System Is More Than Complicated, It's Costly

According to a recent study, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand annually on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is projected to surpass $17,000 for each worker by 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Currently federal operations is shut down due to political disagreements 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?

When will we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to include all citizens. The existing system remains intact. The way medical professionals receive payment changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How Universal Coverage Could Function

A national health insurance program would need contributions from workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker earning average wages must contribute about five point three percent toward medical coverage. The company must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear like a lot? Not if you contrast that with what the typical American pays. I know dozens of businesses that are routinely paying between 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to supporting healthcare facilities. When including these expenses compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

In the US, a national health premium would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and company payments. And, like many our government's defense, IT, social programs and infrastructure, the program should be outsourced by private contractors instead of a government office.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for small businesses such as my company. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would make administration much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than going through the complex (and fruitless) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding of coverage among workers – contrasted with the current system which require them to interpret the complications of current options. And there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't have access to workers' medical records for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that government play important functions in society, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs that employ the majority of the country's workers and fund half the economic output. It enables employees to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Exist numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with rising medical expenses we've seen recently, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working very well. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, despite increased taxation required, would still be a superior and more affordable approach for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, based on comprehensive research. Perhaps a positive aspect amid current situation could be that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and agree that big changes are necessary.