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Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. HDHP. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? It's understandable. Who comprehends this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Neither the average employee. Choosing the appropriate medical coverage for our business – or for households – seems like it requires a PhD in healthcare.

Our Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Costly

According to recent research, typical households pays $27,000 each year for their health insurance (increasing by 6% from last year). The average employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand for each worker by 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Now the government is shut down because political disagreements regarding tax credits that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

When will we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage here in America? I have to believe we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare program – an established insurance framework – merely extend to cover everyone. The existing system doesn't change. How our healthcare providers get paid changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would need contributions from employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker earning average wages pays about five point three percent to their healthcare. The company pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear like a lot? Not if you compare it to what average US resident spends. I can name multiple businesses that are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting medical services. When including these expenses compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

For America, a national health premium would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It ought to be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and company payments. Similar to many our government's military, technology, social programs and transportation services, the program could be managed by private contractors rather than a government office.

Benefits for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors that can pay for better plans. It would make administration much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, rather than going through the complex (and fruitless) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits among workers – contrasted with the current system which require them to decipher the complexities of current options. And there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for companies as we no longer would be privy to workers' medical records for risk assessment and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as they get. However I recognize that government play important functions in society, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone through a national insurance system strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs that employ more than half of American employees and generate half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. Given rising medical expenses we've seen recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation is not working very well. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where big changes are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes required, would still be a better and less expensive approach both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places well below many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, based on major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect in this present circumstances could be that we undertake serious examination in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.