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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. HDHP. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. SHOP. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – seems like demands advanced expertise in medical insurance.

The Healthcare System Isn't Just Complex, It's Expensive

Based on a recent study, typical households pays $27,000 each year for their health insurance (increasing by 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $17,000 for each worker by 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Currently the government is shut down because political disagreements regarding tax credits which analysts predict will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we seriously consider a national health insurance program in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. The existing system remains intact. How our healthcare providers get paid changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from both employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee making moderate income pays approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear like a lot? Not if you contrast that with what average American pays. I can name multiple businesses that are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that with comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover retirement benefits, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection along with supporting medical services. When including those costs versus what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. There would be both an employee and employer contribution. And, like much of our government's defense, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the program could be managed to third-party administrators rather than a government office.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would make management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses our yearly costs, rather than enduring the complex (and ineffective) process of bargaining with major insurers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would be improved comprehension about benefits by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complexities of existing plans. And there would certainly be reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' health histories for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in society, including national security to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It enables for workers to enjoy better health, have better attendance and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Exist numerous factors I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, despite increased taxation that would be incurred, would remain a better and more affordable approach for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank well below numerous nations with the best healthcare in the world, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot in this current situation is that we take a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.