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Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? It's understandable. Who comprehends this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – appears to require demands a PhD in medical insurance.

The Medical System Isn't Just Complex, It's Expensive

According to a recent study, the average family pays $27,000 each year on medical coverage (increasing by 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to surpass $17,000 for each worker by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Now the government is shut down because political disagreements over tax credits that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I'm convinced we're getting closer since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. How our healthcare providers get paid changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee earning average wages must contribute about five point three percent toward medical coverage. The company must contribute about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear like a lot? Not if you contrast it to what the typical American pays. I can name dozens of clients who are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. Remember that in comprehensive systems, those payments also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to supporting healthcare facilities. When including these expenses compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Execution for America

For America, a national health premium would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. There would be both an employee and employer contribution. And, like much of our government's military, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the program should be outsourced by private contractors instead of a government office.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would render management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses our yearly costs, instead of enduring the complicated (and fruitless) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually every year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding about benefits among workers – contrasted with existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complexities of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for employers since we wouldn't would be privy to our employees' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of American employees and generate half the economic output. It enables for workers 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. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced recently, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. And I realize that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a superior and less expensive strategy for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank well below many other countries in healthcare quality globally, based on major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect in this current situation could be that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes are necessary.