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Deductibles. In-network. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Single coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends this complex system? Not the typical business owner. Neither the average employee. Selecting the appropriate medical coverage for companies – or for households – seems like demands a PhD in healthcare.

Our Medical System Isn't Just Complicated, It Is Expensive

Based on recent research, the average family pays $27,000 annually for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Currently the government is shut down because partisan disputes over subsidies which analysts predict could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program in the United States? I have to believe we're approaching that point because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm proposing for our current Medicare system – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How our healthcare providers get paid would change. Trust me, they will adjust.

How National Health Insurance Would Work

A national health insurance program would need payments from workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee making average wages must contribute approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer must contribute about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Unless you contrast that with what average US resident spends. I can name multiple clients who are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. And keep in mind that with inclusive programs, these contributions also cover pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When including these expenses versus our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Execution for America

For America, a national health premium would increase existing Medicare taxes, a framework that is already in place. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. This includes both worker and company payments. Similar to many our government's military, technology, social programs and transportation services, the program should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would place us on a level playing field with our larger competitors that can pay for better plans. It would render administration significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would make simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of going through the complex (and fruitless) process of bargaining with major insurers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding about benefits by our employees – as opposed to the current system which require them to interpret the complications of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for employers since we wouldn't would be privy to our employees' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in society, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Exist 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 the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, even with increased taxation that would be incurred, would still be a better and less expensive approach for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank well below numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect in this current situation is that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and agree that big changes need to happen.