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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Choosing the right medical coverage for companies – or for households – seems like demands a PhD in medical insurance.

Our Medical System Is More Than Complex, It's Expensive

Based on a recent study, the average family spends $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning due to political disagreements regarding tax credits that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider a national health insurance program here in America? I'm convinced we're approaching that point because this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – merely extend to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. The way medical professionals receive payment changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Could Function

A national health insurance program would need contributions from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee earning average wages pays about 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Unless you compare it to what average American pays. I know dozens of clients that are routinely paying anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, those payments include pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to supporting medical services. When you add those costs compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Execution in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It ought to be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would pay more than those earning less. There would be both worker and employer contribution. Similar to many federal military, technology, social programs and infrastructure, the program should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford better plans. It would render management much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would enable it easier for us to budget annual expenditures, rather than going through the complex (and ineffective) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension of coverage among workers – as opposed to the current system which require them to decipher the complexities of current options. And there would certainly be less liability for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to our employees' medical records for purposes of weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that government has a significant role in society, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of the country's workers and fund half the economic output. It enables employees to be healthier, come to work more often and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses we've seen in recent years, it's evident that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. I understand that America isn't a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a better and more affordable approach for not only controlling healthcare costs but providing access for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. The US places well below many other countries in healthcare quality globally, according to major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect amid present circumstances could be that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.