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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. ACA. HMO. PPO. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends this complex system? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical worker. Choosing the right medical coverage for companies – or for our families – seems like it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

Our Healthcare System Isn't Just Complex, It's Costly

Based on recent research, the average family pays $27,000 annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now federal operations has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes regarding tax credits which analysts predict will lead to a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Might 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 because this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. How our healthcare providers get paid changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would need contributions from employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee earning moderate income pays approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer pays about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Unless you contrast that with what the typical American pays. I can name dozens of clients who are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, those payments also cover pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection along with funding medical services. When including those costs compared with what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. There would be both worker and company payments. Similar to many our government's defense, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced by private contractors instead of a government office.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put us on a level playing field with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would render management much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to retirement and Medicare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would make it easier for us to budget our yearly costs, instead of enduring the complex (and fruitless) process of negotiating with major insurers required annually every year. Due to simplification, there would exist improved comprehension of coverage among workers – contrasted with the current system where they have to decipher the complexities of existing plans. Additionally there would certainly be reduced responsibility for employers as we no longer have access to workers' health histories for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that government has a significant role in our lives, including national security to funding essential systems. 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 the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses we've seen in recent years, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. I understand that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding universal Medicare, despite increased taxation required, would remain a superior and less expensive strategy both for managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality globally, according to major studies. Maybe one bright spot in this present circumstances is that we take a hard look at ourselves and agree that major reforms need to happen.