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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who comprehends this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Choosing the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – appears to require demands a PhD in healthcare.

Our Medical System Isn't Just Complex, It's Costly

According to a recent study, typical households spends $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $17,000 per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now the government is shut down because partisan disputes regarding tax credits which analysts predict could cause a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I'm convinced we're getting closer since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Trust me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would require contributions from both employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker earning average wages pays about 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear like a lot? Not if you compare that with what the typical American pays. I know multiple clients that are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that in inclusive programs, those payments also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to supporting medical services. When you add those costs versus what we pay on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Execution for America

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a framework already established. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. There would be both worker and employer contribution. And, like many federal military, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the program could be managed by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

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

It would enable it easier for us to budget our yearly costs, rather than enduring the complex (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with major insurers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – as opposed to the current system where they have to interpret the complexities of existing plans. And there would certainly be reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to our employees' health histories for risk assessment and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in society, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It represents superior, simpler approach for small businesses which hire more than half of American employees and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Exist 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 the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, even with increased taxation that would be incurred, would still be a better and more affordable strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs but providing access for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare globally, based on major studies. Perhaps a bright spot amid current situation is that we take serious examination in the mirror and agree that major reforms are necessary.