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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. HRA. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Not the typical business owner. Neither the average employee. Selecting the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – appears to require it requires a PhD in healthcare.

The Healthcare System Isn't Just Complicated, It's Expensive

According to a recent study, typical households spends $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). The average employer health insurance cost is expected to surpass $17,000 for each worker by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Now the government is shut down because political disagreements regarding tax credits which analysts predict could cause premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program here in America? I'm convinced we're approaching that point since this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare system – an established insurance framework – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. How our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require contributions from employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee earning average wages must contribute approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you compare that with what the typical American pays. I can name multiple clients that are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages for medical benefits. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, those payments include retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting medical services. When including these expenses versus our current spending for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would pay more than those earning less. There would be both worker and company payments. And, like much of federal defense, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the system could be managed to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would make administration much easier (a payroll deduction remitted like social security and Medicare taxes, instead of separate payments to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would enable it easier for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of going through the complex (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would be improved comprehension of coverage among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to interpret the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for employers as we no longer have access to our employees' health histories for purposes of risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that government play important functions in society, from providing defense to funding needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs that employ more than half of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It enables for workers to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning effectively. I understand that we're not a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes required, would remain a better and less expensive approach for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank well below many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, based on major studies. Maybe one positive aspect in this present circumstances is that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.