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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Selecting the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – seems like it requires advanced expertise in medical insurance.

The Medical System Isn't Just Complicated, It's Costly

Based on a recent study, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand each year on medical coverage (increasing by 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand for each worker by 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Currently the government is shut down because political disagreements over 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 genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would require contributions from employees and employers. In similar programs, a worker making moderate income must contribute about five point three percent to their healthcare. The company must contribute about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you compare that with what average US resident spends. I can name dozens of clients that are routinely paying between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, those payments also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, parental benefits and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting healthcare facilities. When you add these expenses versus what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

In the US, a national health premium would raise existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. There would be both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to much of our government's military, technology, social programs and transportation services, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for small businesses such as my company. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors that can pay for better plans. It would render management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would make simpler to plan expenses our yearly costs, instead of enduring the complicated (and ineffective) process of bargaining with major insurers required annually every year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding of coverage among workers – contrasted with existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complications of current options. And there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't have access to workers' medical records for risk assessment and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in our lives, including national security to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system enhances economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for small businesses which hire more than half of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It enables employees to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Exist a million considerations I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act is not working very well. I understand that we're not a compact European nation where big changes are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, even with increased taxation required, would remain a better and more affordable approach for not only controlling healthcare costs but providing access for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, must tone down our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect amid current situation could be that we undertake serious examination in the mirror and agree that big changes need to happen.