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Deductibles. In-network. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Neither the average employee. Selecting the right medical coverage for our business – or for our families – appears to require demands a PhD in healthcare.

The Medical System Is More Than Complex, It's Expensive

According to a recent study, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand each year for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is projected to surpass $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now the government is shut down because partisan disputes regarding subsidies that experts say will lead to a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure remains intact. How our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

How National Health Insurance Would Work

A national health insurance program would require contributions from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee earning moderate income must contribute approximately five point three percent to their healthcare. Their employer must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you compare it to what the typical US resident spends. I can name dozens of businesses who are routinely paying between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages for medical benefits. And keep in mind that with inclusive programs, these contributions include retirement benefits, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with supporting medical services. When you add those costs compared with what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Execution for America

In the US, a national health premium would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a system that is already in place. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. There would be both worker and company payments. Similar to many our government's military, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the program should be outsourced by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for better plans. It would make management much easier (a payroll deduction remitted like retirement and Medicare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable it easier for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complicated (and fruitless) theater 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 – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complications of current options. And there would certainly be less liability for employers since we wouldn't have access to our employees' health histories for purposes of risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that public institutions has a significant role in our lives, including national security to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs that employ more than half of the country's workers and generate half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Exist numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working very well. I understand that we're not a compact European nation where big changes are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes required, would still be a better and less expensive strategy for not only managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, must tone down our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality globally, based on major studies. Maybe one positive aspect amid present circumstances is that we take a hard look at ourselves and agree that big changes are necessary.