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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average employee. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – appears to require demands a PhD in healthcare.

Our Healthcare System Is More Than Complicated, It's Expensive

Based on a recent study, typical households spends $27,000 each year for their health insurance (increasing by 6% from last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $17,000 for each worker in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning because partisan disputes over tax credits that experts say will lead to a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

When will we seriously consider 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 insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers get paid changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

The Way National Health Insurance Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would require contributions from workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker earning average wages pays approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer pays about 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you contrast it to what average US resident spends. I know multiple businesses that are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that in inclusive programs, these contributions also cover pension plans, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection along with supporting medical services. When including those costs compared with our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Implementation for America

For America, a national health premium would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It ought to be means-based – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and company payments. And, like many federal defense, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the program should be outsourced by private contractors rather than a government office.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program would be a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for better plans. It would render administration much easier (a payroll deduction remitted like social security and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than going through the complicated (and fruitless) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding about benefits by our employees – contrasted with the current system where they have to interpret the complications of current options. And there would certainly be less liability for employers since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' medical records for purposes of weighing risks and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that government play important functions in society, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage to all through a national insurance system enhances economic foundations. It represents superior, simpler approach for small businesses that employ the majority of American employees and generate half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Exist a million considerations I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation is not working very well. And I realize that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes required, would still be a superior and less expensive strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

As Americans, must reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't so great. The US places well below many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, according to major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect in this present circumstances could be that we take a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.