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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Selecting the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – appears to require demands a PhD in medical insurance.

Our Healthcare System Isn't Just Complicated, It Is Costly

Based on a recent study, the average family pays $27,000 annually for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to surpass $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning because partisan disputes over subsidies which analysts predict could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I'm convinced we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. How our healthcare providers receive payment would change. Trust me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee earning average wages must contribute about 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Unless you compare it to what average US resident spends. I know multiple businesses that are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in inclusive programs, those payments also cover retirement benefits, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to supporting healthcare facilities. When including these expenses versus our current spending on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Implementation for America

For America, a national health premium would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a system that is already in place. It ought to be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. There would be both an employee and employer contribution. And, like much of our government's military, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the system 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 like mine. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford better plans. It would render management much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than going through the complex (and ineffective) theater of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding about benefits by our employees – contrasted with existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complications of current options. And there would definitely exist less liability for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to our employees' medical records for purposes of risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that government has a significant role in our lives, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system enhances economic foundations. It represents superior, easier system for small businesses which hire the majority of American employees and fund half the economic output. It enables for workers to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning effectively. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a better and less expensive strategy both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

As Americans, must tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank well below many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, according to major studies. Maybe one bright spot amid present circumstances could be that we take a hard look at ourselves and agree that big changes are necessary.