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Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – appears to require demands advanced expertise in medical insurance.

The Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Expensive

Based on recent research, the average family pays $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 is shut down because partisan disputes regarding tax credits that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

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 suggesting national healthcare. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare system – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system doesn't change. How our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

The Way National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would require contributions from both workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker earning average wages pays approximately five point three percent to their healthcare. The company must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Unless you contrast that with what the typical American pays. I can name multiple clients who are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that with comprehensive systems, these contributions include pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with funding medical services. When you add these expenses compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system that is already in place. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. There would be both worker and company payments. Similar to much of our government's defense, technology, social programs and transportation services, the system should be outsourced by private contractors rather than a government office.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program would be a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would put small companies in equal competition against big corporations that can pay for better plans. It would render administration much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to retirement 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 ineffective) theater of negotiating with major insurers required annually each year. Due to simplification, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits among workers – contrasted with the current system which require them to interpret the complexities of existing plans. Additionally there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for companies as we no longer would be privy to our employees' medical records for weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that government play important functions in society, including national security to supporting essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs that employ more than half of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to enjoy better health, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes required, would still be a better and more affordable strategy for not only managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality globally, based on comprehensive research. Perhaps a positive aspect amid present circumstances is that we take a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.