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Deductibles. In-network. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. HDHP. HSA. FSA. HRA. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who comprehends this complex system? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical worker. Choosing the right medical coverage for companies – or for households – seems like it requires a PhD in healthcare.

Our Healthcare System Is More Than Complicated, It's Costly

According to recent research, typical households spends $27,000 each year on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $17,000 for each worker by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Now federal operations has ceased functioning because partisan disputes regarding tax credits which analysts predict will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we seriously consider a national health insurance program in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer since this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare program – an established insurance framework – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. How our healthcare providers get paid would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would need contributions from employees and employers. In comparable systems, an employee earning average wages pays about 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear like a lot? Unless you contrast it to what the typical American pays. I know dozens of clients that are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that with comprehensive systems, those payments also cover retirement benefits, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits in addition to funding medical services. When you add those costs compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution in the US

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework that is already in place. It ought to be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than those earning less. This includes both an employee and company payments. And, like much of federal military, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the program could be managed by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors that can pay for superior coverage. It would make administration much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, rather than going through the complex (and ineffective) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding of coverage by our employees – as opposed to the current system where they have to interpret the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't have access to workers' health histories for risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that government has a significant role in our lives, from providing defense to funding needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage to all through a national insurance system strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes required, would remain a superior and more affordable strategy both for controlling healthcare costs but providing access for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

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 globally, based on comprehensive research. Perhaps a positive aspect amid present circumstances is that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.