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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. ACA. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Choosing the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – seems like it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

The Healthcare System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Expensive

According to a recent study, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $17,000 per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Now the government is shut down due to political disagreements over tax credits that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program in the United States? I have to believe we're approaching that point because this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an established insurance framework – simply expand to include all citizens. The existing system remains intact. The way medical professionals get paid would change. Trust me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker earning moderate income pays approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Unless you contrast that with what average American pays. I can name dozens of clients who are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, those payments also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to supporting medical services. When you add those costs compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution in the US

For America, a national health premium would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than those earning less. There would be both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to much of our government's defense, IT, social programs and infrastructure, the system could be managed by private contractors rather than a government office.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for small businesses such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition against big corporations that can pay for better plans. It would make management much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier for us to budget annual expenditures, rather than going through the complex (and fruitless) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would be improved comprehension about benefits among workers – contrasted with the current system which require them to interpret the complexities of current options. And there would definitely exist less liability for companies as we no longer would be privy to our employees' medical records for purposes of weighing risks 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 supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It enables for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Exist numerous factors I'm not addressing? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation is not working very well. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms 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 and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places well below many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, according to major studies. Maybe one positive aspect amid current situation could be that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes are necessary.