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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. HMO. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. HDHP. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average worker. Selecting the appropriate medical coverage for companies – or for households – appears to require demands a PhD in healthcare.

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

Based on recent research, the average family spends $twenty-seven thousand each year on medical coverage (increasing by 6% compared to last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand for each worker in 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Now federal operations has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes over subsidies that experts say will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage here in America? I'm convinced we're approaching that point because this can't continue.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. The existing system doesn't change. The way medical professionals receive payment changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

A national health insurance program would need payments from both workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee making average wages pays about five point three percent toward medical coverage. The company must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Unless you contrast that with what average American pays. I can name multiple businesses that are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to funding medical services. When you add these expenses versus what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

For America, a national health premium would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than those earning less. There would be both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to much of our government's defense, technology, social programs and transportation services, the program could be managed to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would place small companies in equal competition against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would render management much easier (a payroll deduction remitted like retirement and Medicare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complex (and ineffective) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would be improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – contrasted with existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complexities of current options. Additionally there would certainly be less liability for employers as we no longer have access to our employees' health histories for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that government has a significant role in our lives, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage to all through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, simpler approach for small businesses that employ the majority of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Exist a million considerations I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses we've seen recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. I understand that we're not a compact European nation where big changes are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, despite increased taxation that would be incurred, would remain a better and more affordable approach both for managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. The US places well below many other countries with the best healthcare globally, based on major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect amid current situation is that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and agree that big changes need to happen.