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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. HRA. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Neither the average employee. Selecting the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – appears to require it requires a PhD in healthcare.

Our Healthcare System Isn't Just Complicated, It Is Expensive

Based on a recent study, typical households spends $27,000 annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to surpass $17,000 for each worker by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now the government is shut down due to partisan disputes regarding subsidies that experts say will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare program – an established insurance framework – merely extend to include all citizens. The existing system remains intact. The way medical professionals receive payment would change. Trust me, they will adjust.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would need contributions from workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee making average wages pays about 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear like a lot? Unless you compare that with what the typical US resident spends. I know dozens of clients who are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that with inclusive programs, those payments include pension plans, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to supporting healthcare facilities. When including these expenses versus our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

In the US, a national health premium would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a system that is already in place. It ought to be means-based – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and employer contribution. And, like many our government's defense, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a significant advantage for small businesses 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 (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would make simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than enduring the complex (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding about benefits by our employees – contrasted with the current system which require them to decipher the complexities of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for companies as we no longer have access to workers' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone through a national insurance system enhances economic foundations. It represents superior, easier system for entrepreneurs that employ the majority of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It enables for workers to enjoy better health, come to work more often and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Exist a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. Given all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding universal Medicare, despite increased taxation required, would remain a better and less expensive approach for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

As Americans, must reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. We rank significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot in this present circumstances could be that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and agree that major reforms need to happen.