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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average employee. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – seems like demands advanced expertise in healthcare.

Our Healthcare System Is More Than Complicated, It's Costly

Based on recent research, the average family spends $27,000 each year for their health insurance (increasing by 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $17,000 per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Currently the government is shut down because partisan disputes regarding tax credits which analysts predict could cause premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we seriously consider a national health insurance program here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer since this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers get paid changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How Universal Coverage Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would need contributions from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker making average wages must contribute approximately five point three percent to their healthcare. The company pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear like a lot? Not if you compare it to what the typical US resident spends. I know multiple businesses that are routinely paying anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that in comprehensive systems, these contributions include pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with funding medical services. When including these expenses compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

In the US, 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 lower-income earners. This includes both worker and company payments. Similar to many federal defense, IT, social programs and transportation services, the program should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than a government office.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would render administration significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, rather than separate payments to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would make simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of going through the complex (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding about benefits among workers – contrasted with existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complexities of existing plans. And there would definitely exist less liability for employers since we wouldn't have access to our employees' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that government play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system enhances economic foundations. It represents superior, simpler approach for small businesses that employ more than half of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses we've seen in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, despite the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a superior and less expensive strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, must reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, according to major studies. Maybe one bright spot amid present circumstances could be that we take a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.