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Deductibles. In-network. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. HDHP. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Choosing the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – seems like it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

Our Healthcare System Isn't Just Complicated, It's Expensive

According to recent research, the average family pays $twenty-seven thousand each year on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand for each worker by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Currently federal operations 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 Might We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I'm convinced we're getting closer since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system doesn't change. How our healthcare providers get paid changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would require payments from both employees and employers. In similar programs, a worker making average wages pays approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. The company pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear like a lot? Not if you compare it to what the typical American pays. I know multiple businesses that are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, those payments also cover pension plans, illness coverage, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with funding healthcare facilities. When including these expenses versus our current spending on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

For America, a national health premium would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a system that is already in place. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. There would be both worker and employer contribution. Similar to many federal defense, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the program could be managed to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put small companies in equal competition against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would make administration much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier for us to budget our yearly costs, instead of going through the complicated (and fruitless) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding about benefits among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complications of current options. Additionally there would certainly be less liability for companies as we no longer would be privy to our employees' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as they get. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in society, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses which hire the majority of American employees and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible for workers to enjoy better health, have better attendance and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Exist a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. Given all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, even with increased taxation that would be incurred, would still be a superior and more affordable approach both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank well below numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, according to comprehensive research. Perhaps a bright spot amid present circumstances is that we take a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.