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Deductibles. In-network. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. HDHP. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical employee. Choosing the appropriate medical coverage for our business – or for households – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

The Healthcare System Is More Than Complicated, It's Expensive

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

Now federal operations is shut down because partisan disputes regarding subsidies that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we seriously consider a national health insurance program in the United States? I have to believe 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 insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. The existing system remains intact. How our healthcare providers get paid would change. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

A national health insurance program would need contributions from both workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee earning moderate income pays approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem like a lot? Unless you contrast that with what average US resident spends. I can name multiple clients that are routinely paying between 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that with inclusive programs, those payments include pension plans, illness coverage, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with funding medical services. When you add those costs versus our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Execution in the US

In the US, a national health premium would increase existing Medicare taxes, a framework that is already in place. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. This includes both worker and employer contribution. And, like much of federal defense, IT, social programs and infrastructure, the program should be outsourced by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for entrepreneurs like mine. It would place small companies in equal competition against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would make administration significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, instead of separate payments to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler for us to budget our yearly costs, rather than going through the complicated (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding about benefits by our employees – contrasted with existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complications of existing plans. And there would definitely exist less liability for employers as we no longer would be privy to our employees' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as they get. However I recognize that government play important functions in our lives, including national security to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It represents superior, simpler approach for small businesses that employ the majority of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Exist numerous factors I'm not addressing? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases experienced recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, despite increased taxation required, would still be a superior and less expensive strategy both for managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places well below numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, based on major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect in this current situation could be that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and agree that major reforms need to happen.