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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average employee. Choosing the right medical coverage for our business – or for households – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in medical insurance.

The Healthcare System Is More Than Complex, It's Costly

Based on recent research, the average family pays $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (increasing by 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $17,000 per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now the government is shut down because political disagreements over subsidies which analysts predict will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. How medical professionals receive payment would change. Believe me, they'll adapt.

The Way Universal Coverage Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee making average wages pays approximately five point three percent to their healthcare. Their employer must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Unless you compare it to what average American pays. I can name multiple businesses who are routinely paying between 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, these contributions include retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection along with supporting healthcare facilities. When you add these expenses versus our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Execution in the US

In the US, a national health premium would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. This includes both worker and company payments. Similar to many federal military, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would place small companies in equal competition against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would make administration significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than separate payments to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complex (and fruitless) process of bargaining with major insurers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding of coverage by our employees – contrasted with existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complications of current options. Additionally there would certainly be reduced responsibility for employers since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' health histories for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. However I recognize that government play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, simpler approach for entrepreneurs which hire more than half of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It enables employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's evident that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where big changes are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, despite increased taxation that would be incurred, would still be a superior and more affordable approach both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, must reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank well below numerous nations with the best healthcare globally, according to major studies. Perhaps a bright spot amid current situation is that we take a hard look at ourselves and agree that big changes need to happen.