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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. HDHP. HSA. FSA. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Single coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – seems like it requires advanced expertise in medical insurance.

The Healthcare System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Expensive

According to a recent study, the average family pays $twenty-seven thousand each year for their health insurance (increasing by 6% from last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $17,000 per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Currently the government is shut down due to partisan disputes over subsidies that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're approaching that point since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – merely extend to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers get paid would change. Trust me, they will adjust.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would require contributions from both employees and employers. In similar programs, a worker earning average wages must contribute approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. The company must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Unless you compare that with what average American pays. I know multiple clients that are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that in inclusive programs, these contributions include pension plans, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection along with funding healthcare facilities. When including those costs versus our current spending on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Execution for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It ought to be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would pay more than those earning less. This includes both worker and company payments. Similar to much of our government's military, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the system could be managed to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would render administration significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable simpler for us to budget our yearly costs, rather than going through the complex (and fruitless) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Due to simplification, there would be improved comprehension about benefits by our employees – contrasted with existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complexities of current options. And there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't have access to our employees' medical records for weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in society, including national security to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It represents superior, easier system for small businesses which hire more than half of American employees and generate half the economic output. It makes it possible for workers to enjoy better health, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses we've seen in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning effectively. And I realize that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, even with increased taxation required, would still be a superior and less expensive approach for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. We rank significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare globally, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot amid present circumstances is that we take serious examination at ourselves and agree that big changes are necessary.