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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. SHOP. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? It's understandable. Who comprehends all this stuff? Not the typical business owner. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – seems like it requires advanced expertise in medical insurance.

Our Medical System Is More Than Complex, It Is Costly

Based on recent research, typical households pays $27,000 annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% from last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is projected to surpass $17,000 per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Now the government has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes regarding subsidies that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

When will we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I'm convinced we're getting closer 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. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Trust me, they will adjust.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

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

Does this appear like a lot? Not if you contrast it to what average American pays. I can name dozens of businesses who are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. Remember that with comprehensive systems, these contributions include retirement benefits, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits in addition to funding medical services. When you add those costs versus what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

For America, a national health premium would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. There would be both worker and employer contribution. Similar to many federal military, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would make management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would make simpler for us to budget our yearly costs, rather than enduring the complicated (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would be improved comprehension about benefits among workers – as opposed to the current system which require them to decipher the complexities of existing plans. And there would certainly be reduced responsibility for companies as we no longer would be privy to our employees' health histories for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that government has a significant role in society, from providing defense to funding needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses that employ 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 be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. Given rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation is not working very well. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, even with increased taxation required, would remain a better and less expensive approach both for managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank well below many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, based on major studies. Perhaps a bright spot amid current situation is that we take serious examination in the mirror and agree that big changes are necessary.