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Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. ACA. HMO. PPO. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Choosing the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in medical insurance.

The Medical System Isn't Just Complex, It Is Costly

According to a recent study, the average family spends $27,000 annually for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $17,000 per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Now the government is shut down due to political disagreements regarding subsidies that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I'm convinced we're getting closer because this can't continue.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. The existing system remains intact. The way our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would require payments from workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker making average wages must contribute about 5.3% toward medical coverage. The company must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you contrast it to what the typical US resident spends. I know multiple businesses that are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that in inclusive programs, these contributions include retirement benefits, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits in addition to funding medical services. When you add these expenses compared with our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It ought to be means-based – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to much of our government's defense, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Benefits for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for small businesses such as my company. It would place small companies in equal competition against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would render administration significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would make simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than going through the complicated (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding of coverage by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complexities of current options. And there would certainly be less liability for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' medical records for weighing risks and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. But I've learned that government has a significant role in our lives, including national security to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses which hire the majority of the country's workers and fund half the economic output. It enables employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Exist numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. I understand that America isn't a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, despite increased taxation required, would still be a superior and more affordable strategy both for managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, must tone down national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality globally, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect amid present circumstances could be that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes are necessary.