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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. ACA. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average worker. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – seems like demands a PhD in healthcare.

The Medical System Isn't Just Complicated, It's Costly

According to recent research, typical households spends $twenty-seven thousand each year for their health insurance (increasing by 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $17,000 per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Now the government has ceased functioning because political disagreements regarding subsidies which analysts predict could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I'm convinced we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. How medical professionals get paid would change. Trust me, they will adjust.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would need payments from both workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker earning moderate income pays about 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Unless you compare it to what average American pays. I know dozens of businesses that are routinely paying anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages for medical benefits. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, these contributions include pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection along with supporting medical services. When including those costs compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

For America, a national health premium would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It ought to be means-based – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. There would be both worker and company payments. And, like many our government's military, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the system could be managed by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a significant advantage for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would make administration significantly simpler (a payroll deduction remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable it easier for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of going through the complex (and ineffective) theater of negotiating with the big insurance providers required annually every year. Due to simplification, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complications of existing plans. And there would definitely exist less liability for employers as we no longer have access to our employees' medical records for purposes of risk assessment and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in society, including national security to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs that employ the majority of American employees and generate half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Exist a million considerations I'm not addressing? Certainly. Given all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working very well. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding universal Medicare, despite increased taxation that would be incurred, would remain a better and less expensive strategy both for managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, we need to reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places well below numerous nations in healthcare quality globally, according to major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect amid current situation is that we take a hard look at ourselves and agree that big changes are necessary.