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Deductibles. In-network. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who comprehends this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Choosing the appropriate medical coverage for our business – or for households – appears to require demands a PhD in medical insurance.

Our Medical System Isn't Just Complicated, It's Expensive

According to a recent study, the average family spends $27,000 each year for their health insurance (increasing by 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to surpass $17,000 per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Currently federal operations is shut down due to political disagreements regarding subsidies which analysts predict could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I'm convinced we're getting closer since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to include all citizens. The existing system doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers receive payment would change. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would need payments from employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker making moderate income must contribute about 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Unless you contrast that with what the typical US resident spends. I can name multiple businesses that are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that in inclusive programs, these contributions include pension plans, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to supporting healthcare facilities. When including these expenses compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Implementation in the US

For America, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and employer contribution. And, like much of our government's defense, IT, social programs and transportation services, the program could be managed by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would render administration significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than 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) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding of coverage by our employees – contrasted with the current system where they have to decipher the complications of existing plans. And there would certainly be reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' health histories for purposes of risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that government play important functions in society, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire more than half of the country's workers and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. Given rising medical expenses we've seen in recent years, it's evident that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes required, would remain a superior and less expensive approach for not only controlling healthcare costs but providing access for all citizens.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. The US places well below many other countries in healthcare quality globally, according to major studies. Maybe one positive aspect in this current situation could be that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and agree that major reforms need to happen.