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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. ACA. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. HRA. EOB. COBRA. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who comprehends all this stuff? Not the typical entrepreneur. Neither the average employee. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – appears to require demands a PhD in medical insurance.

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

According to recent research, the average family pays $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (increasing by 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Currently the government is shut down due to political disagreements over subsidies which analysts predict could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – merely extend to cover everyone. The existing system doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers get paid changes. Trust me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Could Function

A national health insurance program would need contributions from employees and employers. In comparable systems, an employee making average wages must contribute about five point three percent to their healthcare. The company pays about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you compare it to what the typical American pays. I know dozens of clients who are routinely paying anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that with inclusive programs, these contributions include retirement benefits, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with funding healthcare facilities. When including those costs versus our current spending on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Execution in the US

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. It ought to be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. This includes both worker and company payments. Similar to many federal defense, IT, social programs and transportation services, the program could be managed by private contractors rather than a government office.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put us on a level playing field with our larger competitors that can pay for better plans. It would render administration much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than going through the complicated (and ineffective) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually every year. Due to simplification, there would exist improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – contrasted with existing arrangements which require them to interpret the complexities of current options. And there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for employers since we wouldn't would be privy to our employees' medical records for purposes of risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

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 for everyone through a national insurance system enhances economic foundations. It represents superior, easier system for small businesses that employ the majority of the country's workers and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Exist numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. Given rising medical expenses we've seen in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning effectively. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding universal Medicare, despite increased taxation that would be incurred, would still be a superior and more affordable approach for not only managing medical expenses but providing access for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. We rank significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect amid current situation is that we take serious examination at ourselves and agree that big changes are necessary.