🔗 Share this article

Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – appears to require it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

The Medical System Is More Than Complex, It Is Expensive

According to a recent study, typical households pays $27,000 each year for their health insurance (increasing by 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is expected to surpass $17,000 per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Currently the government is shut down due to partisan disputes regarding tax credits that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider a national health insurance program in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer because this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare system – an established insurance framework – merely extend to cover everyone. Our infrastructure remains intact. The way our healthcare providers get paid changes. Trust me, they will adjust.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from both employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker earning average wages must contribute approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. The company pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear like a lot? Not if you compare that with what the typical US resident spends. I can name dozens of businesses that are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with supporting medical services. When you add those costs versus our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Execution for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and company payments. And, like many our government's defense, IT, social programs and transportation services, the system should be outsourced by private contractors rather than a government office.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents 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 significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would make it easier for us to budget our yearly costs, rather than going through the complicated (and fruitless) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding of coverage among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to interpret the complexities of current options. And there would certainly be less liability for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' medical records for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. However I recognize that government play important functions in society, including national security to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire more than half of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It enables employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. But with rising medical expenses experienced in recent years, it's evident that current healthcare legislation is not working very well. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, even with increased taxation required, would still be a better and less expensive strategy for not only managing medical expenses but providing access for all citizens.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. We rank well below many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot in this present circumstances is that we take serious examination in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.