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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

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

The Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Expensive

Based on recent research, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Currently federal operations is shut down due to political disagreements regarding tax credits that experts say will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program in the United States? I'm convinced we're getting closer because this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How medical professionals receive payment changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would require contributions from both workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee making average wages must contribute approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Unless you contrast that with what average US resident spends. I can name multiple clients that are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that with inclusive programs, these contributions include pension plans, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to supporting healthcare facilities. When including these expenses compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

In the US, a national health premium would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a system that is already in place. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than those earning less. There would be both worker and employer contribution. And, like much of our government's defense, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the program should be outsourced by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit 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 (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, instead of separate payments to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would make it easier for us to budget our yearly costs, instead of going through the complicated (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would be improved comprehension about benefits by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complexities of existing plans. And there would certainly be less liability for companies as we no longer would be privy to workers' health histories for purposes of risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as they get. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in our lives, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It enables for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a better and more affordable approach for not only controlling healthcare costs but providing access for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must tone down national pride. America's medical care isn't exceptional. The US places well below numerous nations in healthcare quality globally, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect amid present circumstances could be that we take a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.