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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. Point of Service. HDHP. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Not the typical entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Choosing the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

The Medical System Isn't Just Complicated, It Is Costly

Based on a recent study, the average family spends $twenty-seven thousand each year on medical coverage (increasing by 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is projected to surpass $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

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

When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I'm convinced we're approaching that point since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – merely extend to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way medical professionals get paid would change. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would require contributions from workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker earning average wages must contribute about five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you contrast it to what the typical American pays. I know dozens of clients who are routinely paying between 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that in comprehensive systems, those payments include pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection along with funding healthcare facilities. When including these expenses compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework already established. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. There would be both worker and employer contribution. And, like many federal defense, technology, social programs and transportation services, the program should be outsourced by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for small businesses such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors that can pay for better plans. It would render management much easier (a payroll deduction remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of going through the complicated (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with major insurers required annually every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding about benefits by our employees – contrasted with the current system which require them to decipher the complexities of current options. And there would certainly be reduced responsibility for companies as we no longer have access to our employees' medical records for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

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 supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of the country's workers and generate half the economic output. It enables employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning effectively. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where major reforms are easier to implement. However extending Medicare for all, even with increased taxation that would be incurred, would remain a better and less expensive strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs but providing access to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

As Americans, must tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank well below numerous nations with the best healthcare in the world, based on comprehensive research. Perhaps a bright spot amid current situation could be that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes are necessary.