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Deductibles. In-network. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? You should be. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the right medical coverage for our business – or for our families – appears to require demands a PhD in healthcare.

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

Based on recent research, the average family spends $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to surpass $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now the government is shut down due to political disagreements over subsidies which analysts predict will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I'm convinced we're approaching that point because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system doesn't change. The way medical professionals get paid changes. Trust me, they will adjust.

How National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need contributions from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker earning average wages must contribute about 5.3% to their healthcare. The company must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you contrast it to what average US resident spends. I can name multiple clients who are routinely paying between 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that in comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, parental benefits and unemployment benefits in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When you add those costs versus our current spending for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Execution in the US

For America, a national health premium would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system that is already in place. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. And, like many federal military, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the program could be managed to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program would be a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition 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 individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than enduring the complex (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to interpret the complexities of existing plans. Additionally there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' medical records for purposes of weighing risks and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in our lives, including national security to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage to all via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, simpler approach for entrepreneurs that employ more than half of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to enjoy better health, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. But with rising medical expenses experienced in recent years, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning effectively. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, 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.

Time for Honest Assessment

As Americans, must tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, according to major studies. Perhaps a bright spot amid current situation could be that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.