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Deductibles. In-network. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. HRA. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the appropriate medical coverage for companies – or for our families – seems like demands advanced expertise in healthcare.

The Healthcare System Isn't Just Complex, It Is Costly

According to recent research, the average family pays $27,000 annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently federal operations is shut down because political disagreements over subsidies which analysts predict will lead to premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I'm convinced 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 program – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. The existing system doesn't change. How medical professionals get paid would change. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee earning average wages pays about five point three percent to their healthcare. The company pays about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Unless you compare that with what average US resident spends. I know multiple clients who are routinely paying between 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, those payments include pension plans, illness coverage, parental benefits and unemployment benefits in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When including these expenses versus what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It ought to be means-based – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. There would be both an employee and company payments. Similar to many our government's military, IT, social programs and infrastructure, the program should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than a government office.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for small businesses such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition against big corporations that can pay for better plans. It would make management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of going through the complicated (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with the big insurance providers required annually every year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding of coverage by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complexities of existing plans. And there would definitely exist less liability for companies as we no longer would be privy to workers' medical records for purposes of risk assessment and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in society, including national security to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system strengthens economic foundations. It represents superior, simpler approach for small businesses which hire more than half of the country's workers and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible for workers to enjoy better health, have better attendance and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses we've seen recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where big changes are easier to implement. However extending Medicare for all, despite the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a superior and more affordable approach for not only managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect in this present circumstances could be that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and agree that major reforms need to happen.