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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical business owner. Neither the average employee. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – seems like it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

Our Healthcare System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Costly

According to a recent study, the average family spends $twenty-seven thousand each year on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is projected to surpass $17,000 for each worker in 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Currently federal operations has ceased functioning because partisan disputes regarding tax credits that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we seriously consider a national health insurance program here in America? I have to believe we're approaching that point because this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. The way our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would need payments from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee earning average wages must contribute about 5.3% toward medical coverage. The company pays about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you contrast that with what average US resident spends. I know multiple clients who are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that in comprehensive systems, those payments include retirement benefits, illness coverage, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with funding healthcare facilities. When including these expenses compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Execution for America

In the US, a national health premium would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. This includes both worker and company payments. Similar to much of our government's military, technology, social programs and transportation services, the system should be outsourced by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage would be a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would place small companies in equal competition against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would render administration much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, rather than separate payments to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complicated (and ineffective) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Due to simplification, there would be improved comprehension of coverage among workers – as opposed to the current system which require them to decipher the complexities of current options. And there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for employers as we no longer would be privy to workers' medical records for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to funding needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire more than half of American employees and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Exist a million considerations I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act is not working very well. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, despite increased taxation required, would still be a better and more affordable approach both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, must tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect amid current situation could be that we take a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.