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Deductibles. In-network. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. ACA. HMO. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. HDHP. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? It's understandable. Who comprehends all this stuff? Not the typical business owner. Nor the typical employee. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

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

According to recent research, typical households spends $27,000 annually for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is expected to surpass $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently federal operations has ceased functioning because political disagreements regarding tax credits which analysts predict could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Might We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

When will we seriously consider a national health insurance program here in America? I have to believe we're approaching that point because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare system – an established insurance framework – merely extend to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How medical professionals receive payment would change. Believe me, they will adjust.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would require contributions from employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee earning average wages must contribute about five point three percent to their healthcare. The company pays about 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you compare that with what average American pays. I know dozens of clients who are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that with inclusive programs, these contributions include retirement benefits, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection along with supporting healthcare facilities. When you add these expenses versus what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution 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 – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. There would be both an employee and employer contribution. And, like much of federal defense, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the system could be managed by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would place small companies in equal competition against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would make management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses our yearly costs, rather than going through the complex (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding of coverage by our employees – contrasted with existing arrangements which require them to interpret the complications of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for employers as we no longer would be privy to our employees' medical records for risk assessment and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in our lives, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It enables employees to be healthier, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes required, would remain a better and less expensive strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs but providing access for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, must tone down our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. We rank significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare globally, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect amid current situation could be that we take serious examination in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes are necessary.