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Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. ACA. HMO. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. 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 this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – appears to require it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

Our Healthcare System Isn't Just Complicated, It's Costly

According to recent research, typical households spends $27,000 annually on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $17,000 per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Now federal operations is shut down due to political disagreements regarding subsidies which analysts predict could cause premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider a national health insurance program here in America? I have to believe we're approaching that point since this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How our healthcare providers get paid changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

How National Health Insurance Would Work

A national health insurance program would require contributions from workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee making moderate income pays approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. The company must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear like a lot? Not if you contrast that with what the typical US resident spends. I know multiple clients that are routinely paying anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in inclusive programs, those payments also cover pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with supporting medical services. When you add those costs compared with our current spending on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Implementation for America

For America, a national health premium would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system 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 company payments. Similar to much of federal military, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the program should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would render management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier for us to budget our yearly costs, instead of going through the complicated (and ineffective) theater of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would be improved comprehension about benefits among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to interpret the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for employers since we wouldn't have access to our employees' medical records for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that government has a significant role in our lives, including national security to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, easier system for entrepreneurs that employ more than half of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Of course there are. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, it's evident that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a better and less expensive approach for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, must reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank well below numerous nations with the best healthcare in the world, according to comprehensive research. Perhaps a positive aspect in this current situation is that we take serious examination in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes are necessary.