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Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – appears to require demands advanced expertise in healthcare.

The Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Expensive

According to a recent study, the average family pays $twenty-seven thousand each year for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand for each worker by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now the government is shut down because political disagreements regarding subsidies that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I have to believe we're approaching that point since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. The existing system doesn't change. The way medical professionals get paid would change. Believe me, they'll adapt.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need contributions from employees and employers. In comparable systems, an employee making average wages must contribute approximately five point three percent to their healthcare. The company must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear like a lot? Unless you compare that with what the typical US resident spends. I can name dozens of clients who are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, those payments also cover pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection along with funding healthcare facilities. When including those costs compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It ought to be means-based – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. There would be both worker and company payments. And, like many our government's military, IT, social programs and transportation services, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than a government office.

Advantages for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would place small companies in equal competition against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would render management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier for us to budget annual expenditures, rather than going through the complex (and ineffective) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding about benefits by our employees – as opposed to the current system which require them to decipher the complications of current options. And there would definitely exist less liability for employers as we no longer would be privy to our employees' medical records for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in society, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for small businesses which hire more than half of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Exist numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending Medicare for all, even with increased taxation required, would remain a better and more affordable strategy both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't so great. The US places well below numerous nations in healthcare quality globally, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect in this present circumstances is that we take a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes are necessary.