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Deductibles. In-network. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. ACA. HMO. PPO. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? It's understandable. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average worker. Choosing the right medical coverage for our business – or for households – seems like demands advanced expertise in medical insurance.

The Healthcare System Isn't Just Complex, It's Expensive

According to a recent study, the average family spends $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Now the government is shut down because partisan disputes regarding subsidies that experts say will lead to a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I'm convinced we're approaching that point because this can't continue.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way medical professionals receive payment changes. Trust me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would require payments from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee making average wages pays approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. The company must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you compare it to what the typical American pays. I can name multiple businesses who are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages for medical benefits. And keep in mind that in inclusive programs, those payments also cover pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When you add these expenses versus what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to many federal defense, technology, social programs and transportation services, the program could be managed to third-party administrators rather than a government office.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors that can pay for better plans. It would make administration significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would make simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of going through the complicated (and fruitless) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually every year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding about benefits among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to interpret the complications of current options. And there would certainly be reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't have access to our employees' health histories for weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in our lives, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage to all via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It enables employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. I understand that we're not a compact European nation where big changes are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, despite increased taxation that would be incurred, would remain a superior and more affordable approach for not only managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot amid current situation could be that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and agree that big changes need to happen.