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Deductibles. In-network. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average employee. Choosing the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – seems like demands advanced expertise in healthcare.

The Healthcare System Isn't Just Complicated, It Is Costly

According to a recent study, the average family spends $27,000 each year on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to surpass $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Currently the government is shut down due to political disagreements regarding tax credits that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we seriously consider a national health insurance program 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 for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would need contributions from workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker making moderate income must contribute approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer must contribute about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem like a lot? Unless you contrast it to what average US resident spends. I know dozens of clients that are routinely paying between 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to funding medical services. When you add those costs compared with what we pay on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Execution for America

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It ought to be means-based – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. There would be both an employee and company payments. And, like much of our government's defense, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the program could be managed by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors that can pay for superior coverage. It would render administration much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, rather than going through the complicated (and ineffective) process of negotiating with major insurers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding about benefits among workers – as opposed to the current system where they have to interpret the complexities of current options. Additionally there would certainly be reduced responsibility for employers as we no longer would be privy to workers' medical records for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in society, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire more than half of American employees and generate half the economic output. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses experienced in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning effectively. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, despite increased taxation required, would remain a better and more affordable approach for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. The US places well below many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, according to major studies. Maybe one positive aspect amid current situation is that we take a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.