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Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. HSA. FSA. HRA. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

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

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

Based on recent research, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning due to political disagreements regarding tax credits that experts say 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 in the United States? I'm convinced we're approaching that point since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way medical professionals get paid would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

A national health insurance program would need contributions from both employees and employers. In similar programs, a worker earning moderate income pays approximately five point three percent to their healthcare. The company must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you contrast it to what average US resident spends. I can name multiple businesses that are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. Remember that in comprehensive systems, these contributions include retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection along with supporting medical services. When you add those costs versus our current spending for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Execution for America

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. There would be both an employee and company payments. And, like much of our government's defense, technology, social programs and infrastructure, the program could be managed to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would render administration much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would make it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than enduring the complicated (and fruitless) process of negotiating with major insurers required annually every year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding about benefits among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for employers as we no longer would be privy to workers' medical records for purposes of weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as they get. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in society, from providing defense to funding needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, simpler approach for small businesses that employ more than half of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It enables for workers to enjoy better health, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning effectively. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, despite increased taxation required, would still be a superior and less expensive strategy both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, must reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. We rank well below many other countries in healthcare quality globally, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot amid present circumstances is that we undertake serious examination in the mirror and agree that major reforms are necessary.