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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. HMO. PPO. EPO. POS. HDHP. HSA. FSA. HRA. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Not the typical business owner. Neither the average worker. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – seems like demands a PhD in healthcare.

Our Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Expensive

Based on recent research, the average family pays $twenty-seven thousand annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% from last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $17,000 per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently federal operations has ceased functioning due to political disagreements regarding subsidies that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I have to believe we're getting closer since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. How our healthcare providers get paid changes. Trust me, they will adjust.

How Universal Coverage Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from both workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker earning moderate income pays about 5.3% to their healthcare. The company must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you contrast that with what the typical US resident spends. I can name multiple businesses that are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, those payments also cover pension plans, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection along with funding medical services. When you add these expenses compared with our current spending on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation in the US

For America, universal healthcare funding 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 lower-income earners. There would be both worker and company payments. 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 federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program would be a significant advantage for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would render management much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would make simpler for us to budget our yearly costs, rather than going through the complicated (and ineffective) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding about benefits among workers – as opposed to the current system which require them to decipher the complications of current options. And there would certainly be reduced responsibility for employers since we wouldn't would be privy to our employees' health histories for purposes of risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that public institutions has a significant role in our lives, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage to all via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses that employ more than half of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses we've seen recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. And I realize that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a better and less expensive strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs but providing access to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to tone down national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, according to major studies. Maybe one bright spot amid present circumstances could be that we take serious examination at ourselves and agree that big changes are necessary.