Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. HDHP. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.
Baffled? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the right medical coverage for our business – or for our families – seems like it requires a PhD in medical insurance.
Our Healthcare System Is More Than Complex, It Is Expensive
Based on recent research, the average family spends $twenty-seven thousand each year for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $17,000 per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.
Now federal operations is shut down because partisan disputes regarding subsidies which analysts predict will lead to a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.
When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?
How soon might we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer because this can't continue.
I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – merely extend to include all citizens. The existing system doesn't change. The way medical professionals receive payment would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.
How National Health Insurance Could Function
Universal healthcare coverage would require contributions from both workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker making moderate income pays approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute about thirteen point seventy-five percent.
Does this seem expensive? Unless you compare it to what the typical US resident spends. I know dozens of clients who are routinely paying between eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs for medical benefits. And keep in mind that with inclusive programs, those payments include retirement benefits, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting medical services. When you add these expenses compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.
Implementation for America
For America, a national health premium would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework that is already in place. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. There would be both worker and employer contribution. Similar to many our government's defense, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the program should be outsourced by private contractors instead of federal agencies.
Advantages for Entrepreneurs
Universal healthcare coverage represents a significant advantage for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would make administration significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).
It would make it easier for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complicated (and fruitless) process of bargaining with major insurers required annually every year. Due to simplification, there would be improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – 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 have access to workers' health histories for weighing risks and alternative plans.
Free-Market Viewpoint
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. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs that employ more than half of the country's workers and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.
Considering Challenges
Are there a million considerations I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses we've seen in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, even with increased taxation required, would remain a superior and more affordable strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.
Time for Honest Assessment
We as Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, based on comprehensive research. Perhaps a bright spot in this current situation is that we undertake serious examination in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.
