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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. SHOP. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Not the typical business owner. Neither the average worker. Selecting the right medical coverage for our business – or for our families – appears to require demands a PhD in healthcare.

The Healthcare System Is More Than Complicated, It's Costly

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

Currently the government has ceased functioning due to political disagreements over tax credits that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

When will we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer since this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure remains intact. How medical professionals get paid would change. Trust me, they will adjust.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from both employees and employers. In similar programs, a worker making moderate income must contribute approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. The company pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear like a lot? Not if you contrast it to what the typical American pays. I can name dozens of businesses who are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, these contributions include retirement benefits, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to supporting healthcare facilities. When including these expenses compared with our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Execution in the US

In the US, a national health premium would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It should be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and company payments. And, like many federal defense, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would render administration much easier (a payroll deduction remitted like retirement and Medicare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than going through the complex (and ineffective) theater of negotiating with major insurers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would be improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complications of current options. Additionally there would certainly be reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' health histories for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that government play important functions in society, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It enables employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses we've seen recently, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working very well. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding universal Medicare, despite increased taxation that would be incurred, would still be a better and more affordable strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs but providing access to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to tone down national pride. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank well below numerous nations in healthcare quality globally, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect in this present circumstances is that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and agree that major reforms need to happen.