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Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Not the typical entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – seems like it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

Our Healthcare System Isn't Just Complex, It Is Expensive

According to a recent study, typical households spends $twenty-seven thousand annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% compared to last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is expected to surpass $17,000 for each worker by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Currently the government is shut down due to partisan disputes over tax credits which analysts predict will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers get paid would change. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Could Function

A national health insurance program would need payments from workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker making moderate income must contribute about five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Unless you contrast that with what average American pays. I know dozens of clients who are routinely paying between 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that in comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with supporting healthcare facilities. When you add those costs versus what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Implementation for America

For America, a national health premium would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system that is already in place. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than those earning less. This includes both an employee and company payments. Similar to much of federal defense, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program would be a significant advantage for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put us on a level playing field with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would render administration significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of going through the complex (and fruitless) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding of coverage by our employees – as opposed to the current system which require them to decipher the complexities of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for employers as we no longer have access to workers' health histories for purposes of risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone through a national insurance system enhances economic foundations. It represents superior, simpler approach for small businesses which hire the majority of American employees and fund half the economic output. It enables for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Exist a million considerations I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses we've seen recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. I understand that America isn't a compact European nation where major reforms are easier to implement. However extending Medicare for all, despite the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a superior and less expensive strategy both for controlling healthcare costs but providing access to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to tone down national pride. America's medical care isn't so great. The US places well below many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, according to major studies. Perhaps a bright spot in this current situation is that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes are necessary.