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Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. EPO. POS. HDHP. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. COBRA. SHOP. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

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

Our Medical System Is More Than Complex, It Is Costly

According to recent research, the average family pays $27,000 each year for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $17,000 per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Now federal operations is shut down because political disagreements over subsidies which analysts predict will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I have to believe we're getting closer because this can't continue.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to cover everyone. Our infrastructure remains intact. How medical professionals receive payment would change. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

A national health insurance program would require contributions from both employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker making average wages pays approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this appear like a lot? Unless you compare that with what average US resident spends. I can name dozens of clients who are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that with comprehensive systems, these contributions include retirement benefits, sick pay, parental benefits and job loss protection along with supporting medical services. When including those costs compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework already established. It ought to be means-based – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. This includes both an employee and company payments. Similar to much of our government's defense, IT, social programs and transportation services, the system should be outsourced by private contractors instead of a government office.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for small businesses such as my company. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would make administration significantly simpler (a payroll deduction remitted like retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would make simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, rather than enduring the complicated (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with major insurers required annually every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits among workers – as opposed to the current system where they have to decipher the complications of current options. Additionally there would certainly be reduced responsibility for companies as we no longer have access to our employees' health histories for risk assessment and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in our lives, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses which hire the majority of the country's workers and generate half the economic output. It enables for workers to enjoy better health, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with rising medical expenses experienced in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation is not working very well. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. However extending Medicare for all, despite the additional taxes required, would remain a superior and more affordable approach for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank well below numerous nations in healthcare quality globally, based on major studies. Perhaps a bright spot in this present circumstances is that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.