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Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. ACA. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Single coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – appears to require demands advanced expertise in healthcare.

Our Medical System Isn't Just Complex, It Is Costly

According to a recent study, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand annually on medical coverage (up 6% compared to last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $seventeen thousand for each worker by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Currently the government is shut down due to partisan disputes regarding tax credits which analysts predict will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

When will we seriously consider a national health insurance program here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare system – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. How our healthcare providers get paid would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

A national health insurance program would need payments from both employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker making moderate income pays about five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer pays about 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you contrast that with what the typical US resident spends. I know multiple businesses that are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. And keep in mind that with inclusive programs, these contributions also cover retirement benefits, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with supporting healthcare facilities. When including those costs compared with our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Execution in the US

In the US, a national health premium would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. There would be both worker and employer contribution. And, like many our government's defense, IT, social programs and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced by private contractors instead of a government office.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would place us on a level playing field with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would render management much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and Medicare taxes, instead of individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable it easier for us to budget our yearly costs, rather than going through the complicated (and fruitless) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding about benefits by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to interpret the complexities of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for employers as we no longer would be privy to workers' medical records for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that government has a significant role in our lives, including national security to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. 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 enables for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Exist numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses we've seen in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms are easier to implement. However extending Medicare for all, despite increased taxation required, would still be a better and more affordable strategy both for managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. The US places well below many other countries with the best healthcare globally, based on comprehensive research. Perhaps a positive aspect amid current situation is that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and agree that major reforms are necessary.