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Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Selecting the right medical coverage for our business – or for our families – appears to require demands a PhD in healthcare.

The Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Costly

Based on a recent study, the average family pays $twenty-seven thousand annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to surpass $17,000 for each worker by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently federal operations is shut down due to political disagreements over subsidies that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program here in America? I'm convinced we're approaching that point since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. The existing system remains intact. How medical professionals get paid changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would need payments from workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee making average wages must contribute approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you contrast that with what average US resident spends. I can name multiple clients that are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in inclusive programs, these contributions include pension plans, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to funding medical services. When you add those costs compared with what we pay on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Execution for America

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 those earning less. There would be both worker and employer contribution. And, like many federal military, technology, social programs and transportation services, the system could be managed by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for small businesses such as my company. It would place small companies in equal competition against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would render management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and Medicare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would make it easier for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complicated (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with major insurers required annually every year. Due to simplification, there would exist improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to interpret the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would certainly be less liability for employers since we wouldn't have access to our employees' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that government has a significant role in society, including national security to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage to all through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for small businesses that employ more than half of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It enables for workers to enjoy better health, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Certainly. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. However extending Medicare for all, despite increased taxation required, would remain a superior and more affordable strategy both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, we need to tone down national pride. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank well below many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, according to major studies. Perhaps a bright spot in this current situation could be that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and agree that big changes need to happen.