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Deductibles. In-network. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – appears to require demands advanced expertise in medical insurance.

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

According to recent research, the average family pays $27,000 each year for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is projected to surpass $17,000 per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Now federal operations is shut down because political disagreements regarding tax credits which analysts predict could cause premium increases up to 100% 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 approaching that point since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system doesn't change. How medical professionals get paid changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

The Way National Health Insurance Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would need contributions from workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee earning moderate income must contribute about 5.3% to their healthcare. The company must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Unless you compare that with what average US resident spends. I know multiple clients who are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that with inclusive programs, these contributions also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to supporting healthcare facilities. When including those costs versus our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

For America, a national health premium would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It ought to be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and employer contribution. And, like many our government's military, technology, social programs and transportation services, the system could be managed by private contractors rather than a government office.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would make administration much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses our yearly costs, instead of going through the complicated (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding of coverage among workers – contrasted with the current system which require them to interpret the complexities of current options. Additionally there would certainly be less liability for employers since we wouldn't have access to workers' health histories for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that public institutions has a significant role in our lives, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for small businesses that employ the majority of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses experienced in recent years, it's evident that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. I understand that we're not a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a superior and less expensive approach for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

As Americans, must reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. The US places well below many other countries with the best healthcare globally, according to major studies. Maybe one positive aspect amid current situation is that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.