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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? You should be. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Neither the average employee. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – seems like demands advanced expertise in medical insurance.

The Medical System Isn't Just Complicated, It's Expensive

Based on a recent study, the average family pays $27,000 annually on medical coverage (up 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to surpass $17,000 per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes over tax credits that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program in the United States? I have to believe we're approaching that point because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – merely extend to cover everyone. Our infrastructure remains intact. How medical professionals get paid changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How Universal Coverage Could Function

A national health insurance program would need payments from workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker making moderate income must contribute approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. The company pays about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you compare that with what the typical US resident spends. I know multiple clients who are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. And keep in mind that in inclusive programs, these contributions include retirement benefits, sick pay, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to funding medical services. When including these expenses versus what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Implementation for America

In the US, a national health premium would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. There would be both worker and company payments. Similar to much of federal military, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the program should be outsourced by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would render management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, instead of individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier for us to budget our yearly costs, instead of going through the complex (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with major insurers required annually every year. Because it's simplified, there would be improved comprehension about benefits among workers – contrasted with the current system where they have to interpret the complexities of existing plans. And there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for employers as we no longer would be privy to workers' medical records for purposes of risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. But I've learned that government play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs that employ the majority of American employees and fund half the economic output. It enables for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Exist numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. Given all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act is not working very well. I understand that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes required, would remain a better and more affordable strategy for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, we need to tone down national pride. America's medical care isn't so great. The US places well below many other countries in healthcare quality globally, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot in this current situation is that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and agree that big changes need to happen.