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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who comprehends all this stuff? Not the typical business owner. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the right medical coverage for companies – or for households – appears to require it requires a PhD in healthcare.

The Healthcare System Is More Than Complex, It's Expensive

According to recent research, the average family spends $27,000 each year for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $17,000 for each worker by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now the government has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes regarding tax credits that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

When will we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I'm convinced we're approaching that point since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure remains intact. The way medical professionals receive payment would change. Trust me, they will adjust.

How National Health Insurance Would Work

A national health insurance program would require contributions from both employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee earning average wages pays about five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer pays about 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Unless you compare it to what the typical American pays. I can name multiple clients that are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with funding medical services. When you add these expenses versus what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It should be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would pay more than those earning less. There would be both worker and company payments. Similar to many federal military, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the program could be managed by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors that can pay for better plans. It would make administration significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, instead of separate payments to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would enable it easier for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of going through the complicated (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with major insurers required annually every year. Due to simplification, there would be improved comprehension of coverage among workers – contrasted with the current system which require them to decipher the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would certainly be reduced responsibility for companies as we no longer would be privy to workers' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in our lives, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage to all through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, easier system for entrepreneurs that employ the majority of the country's workers and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I'm not addressing? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act is not working very well. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, despite the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a superior and less expensive approach for not only controlling healthcare costs but providing access for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places significantly behind numerous nations with the best healthcare in the world, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect amid current situation could be that we take serious examination in the mirror and agree that major reforms are necessary.