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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. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

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

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

Based on a recent study, the average family spends $27,000 annually on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently federal operations has ceased functioning because partisan disputes regarding subsidies which analysts predict will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider a national health insurance program here in America? I'm convinced we're approaching that point since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Would Work

A national health insurance program would require payments from both employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee making moderate income pays about five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you compare that with what the typical US resident spends. I can name multiple clients who are routinely paying anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that in inclusive programs, those payments include retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When including those costs versus our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation in the US

In the US, a national health premium would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It ought to be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. There would be both worker and company payments. Similar to many federal military, IT, social programs and transportation services, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would make administration much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, instead of enduring the complex (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would be improved comprehension about benefits among workers – as opposed to the current system where they have to interpret the complications of current options. Additionally there would certainly be reduced responsibility 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 pro-market as possible. However I recognize that public institutions has a significant role in society, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone through a national insurance system enhances economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Exist a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. But with rising medical expenses we've seen recently, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning very well. I understand that we're not a compact European nation where big changes are easier to implement. However extending Medicare for all, despite the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a better and less expensive strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

As Americans, must reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect in this current situation could be that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes are necessary.