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Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. ACA. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. COBRA. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – appears to require demands advanced expertise in medical insurance.

The Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Expensive

Based on recent research, the average family spends $27,000 each year for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand for each worker by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently the government is shut down due to partisan disputes regarding subsidies which analysts predict will lead to premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're approaching that point since this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – merely extend to cover everyone. Our infrastructure remains intact. How our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

How National Health Insurance Would Work

A national health insurance program would need contributions from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker making moderate income must contribute approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer pays about 13.75%.

Does this appear like a lot? Not if you compare it to what average American pays. I can name multiple clients that are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages for medical benefits. And keep in mind that in inclusive programs, these contributions include pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting medical services. When including those costs compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation in the US

In the US, a national health premium would raise existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It ought to be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. There would be both worker and company payments. Similar to many federal defense, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the program should be outsourced by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for small businesses such as my company. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for better plans. It would make management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, instead of enduring the complex (and ineffective) theater of negotiating with major insurers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would be improved comprehension of coverage among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to interpret the complexities of current options. And there would certainly be less liability for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' medical records for risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that government has a significant role in our lives, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses that employ the majority of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Exist numerous factors I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning very well. And I realize that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a superior and more affordable approach for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. The US places significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, based on comprehensive research. Perhaps a positive aspect in this present circumstances could be that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes are necessary.