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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. POS. HDHP. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

Our Medical System Is More Than Complex, It Is Expensive

Based on a recent study, typical households spends $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (increasing by 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $17,000 per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Now the government is shut down because partisan disputes regarding tax credits which analysts predict could cause premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage here in America? I have to believe we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system doesn't change. How medical professionals get paid changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker making average wages must contribute approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you contrast that with what the typical US resident spends. I can name dozens of clients who are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. And keep in mind that in inclusive programs, these contributions also cover pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and job loss protection along with funding medical services. When you add those costs versus what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Execution for America

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a system that is already in place. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. This includes both worker and company payments. Similar to many federal defense, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the program should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would make administration significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses our yearly costs, instead of enduring the complicated (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with major insurers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would be improved comprehension about benefits among workers – contrasted with the current system which require them to interpret the complexities of current options. And there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' medical records for purposes of risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that government has a significant role in society, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses which hire the majority of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. And I realize that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. However extending Medicare for all, even with increased taxation that would be incurred, would still be a better and less expensive approach both for managing medical expenses but providing access for all citizens.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to tone down national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect amid present circumstances could be that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.