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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. SHOP. Single coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – seems like it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

Our Healthcare System Is More Than Complex, It Is Costly

According to a recent study, the average family pays $27,000 annually for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). The average employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $17,000 for each worker by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Now federal operations is shut down due to political disagreements regarding tax credits which analysts predict could cause a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Will 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 getting closer because this can't continue.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. The existing system doesn't change. How medical professionals receive payment changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from employees and employers. In comparable systems, an employee making average wages pays about five point three percent toward medical coverage. The company must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Unless you contrast it to what average American pays. I can name multiple clients that are routinely paying anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs for medical benefits. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, those payments also cover pension plans, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to supporting medical services. When including those costs versus our current spending for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework that is already in place. It ought to be means-based – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. This includes both worker and employer contribution. Similar to many federal defense, technology, social programs and transportation services, the system could be managed by private contractors instead of a government office.

Benefits for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put us on a level playing field with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would render administration significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and Medicare taxes, instead of individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of going through the complex (and ineffective) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers required annually every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits among workers – contrasted with existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would certainly be less liability for companies since we wouldn't have access to workers' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in our lives, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for small businesses that employ the majority of American employees and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses we've seen recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. I understand that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, despite increased taxation that would be incurred, would still be a superior and more affordable approach both for controlling healthcare costs but providing access to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank well below many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, based on major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect amid present circumstances could be that we take a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.