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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? It's understandable. Who comprehends all this stuff? Not the typical entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Choosing the appropriate medical coverage for companies – or for households – seems like it requires a PhD in healthcare.

The Medical System Is More Than Complex, It's Expensive

Based on a recent study, typical households spends $27,000 each year for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $17,000 per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Now the government has ceased functioning because partisan disputes over subsidies which analysts predict could cause premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

When will we seriously consider a national health insurance program here in America? I have to believe we're approaching that point because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare system – an established insurance framework – merely extend to include all citizens. The existing system doesn't change. How medical professionals receive payment changes. Trust me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from employees and employers. In comparable systems, an employee making moderate income must contribute about 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Unless you contrast it to what average American pays. I know dozens of businesses that are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs for medical benefits. And keep in mind that with inclusive programs, these contributions include pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection along with funding healthcare facilities. When you add those costs compared with our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Implementation for America

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. It ought to be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. This includes both an employee and company payments. Similar to much of our government's military, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the program could be managed to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program would be a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would render management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, rather than going through the complex (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with major insurers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding about benefits by our employees – contrasted with existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complications of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for employers as we no longer have access to workers' health histories for risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as possible. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in our lives, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, simpler approach for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of the country's workers and generate half the economic output. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with rising medical expenses experienced in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. I understand that we're not a compact European nation where big changes are easier to implement. However extending Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes required, would remain a superior and less expensive approach both for managing medical expenses but providing access for all citizens.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't exceptional. The US places well below numerous nations in healthcare quality globally, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect in this current situation is that we take serious examination at ourselves and agree that major reforms are necessary.