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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Not the typical business owner. Neither the average employee. Selecting the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – appears to require demands a PhD in medical insurance.

Our Medical System Is More Than Complex, It Is Expensive

Based on a recent study, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand each year for their health insurance (increasing by 6% compared to last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Now the government is shut down due to political disagreements regarding tax credits which analysts predict could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

When will we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I have to believe we're getting closer since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. The existing system remains intact. How medical professionals receive payment changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

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

Does this appear expensive? Not if you compare it to what average American pays. I know dozens of clients that are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that in comprehensive systems, these contributions include pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When you add these expenses compared with our current spending on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Implementation in the US

For America, a national health premium would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and company payments. Similar to many our government's military, technology, social programs and infrastructure, the program could be managed to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for entrepreneurs like mine. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would make administration significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than going through the complicated (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits by our employees – contrasted with existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complications of current options. And there would definitely exist less liability for companies since we wouldn't have access to workers' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in society, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage to all through a national insurance system strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses that employ more than half of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It enables employees to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. Given all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, it's evident that current healthcare legislation is not working very well. I understand that America isn't a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, even with increased taxation required, would remain a better and less expensive strategy both for managing medical expenses but providing access for all citizens.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't so great. The US places significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality globally, according to major studies. Maybe one bright spot in this present circumstances could be that we undertake serious examination in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.