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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – appears to require demands a PhD in medical insurance.

Our Healthcare System Is More Than Complex, It Is Expensive

Based on a recent study, the average family pays $27,000 annually for their health insurance (increasing by 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to surpass $17,000 per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning because partisan disputes regarding subsidies that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How medical professionals get paid would change. Trust me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from both employees and employers. In comparable systems, an employee earning moderate income pays about five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you compare it to what the typical US resident spends. I can name dozens of clients who are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that with inclusive programs, those payments include pension plans, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection along with supporting medical services. When you add these expenses compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Implementation for America

In the US, a national health premium would raise existing Medicare taxes, a system 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 many federal military, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs 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 management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction remitted like retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would make it easier for us to budget our yearly costs, rather than going through the complex (and fruitless) process of negotiating with major insurers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding of coverage by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for employers as we no longer have access to workers' medical records for purposes of weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. But I've learned that government play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It enables employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Exist numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with rising medical expenses we've seen recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation is not working very well. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where big changes are easier to implement. But expanding universal Medicare, despite increased taxation required, would remain a superior and less expensive approach for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank well below many other countries in healthcare quality globally, based on major studies. Maybe one bright spot in this current situation is that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.