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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – seems like it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

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

Based on a recent study, typical households pays $27,000 annually for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Now the government is shut down due to partisan disputes over tax credits that experts say will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Might We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I'm convinced we're approaching that point because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How our healthcare providers get paid would change. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would need payments from both employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker making average wages must contribute approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer pays about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Unless you contrast that with what the typical US resident spends. I can name dozens of businesses who are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection along with supporting healthcare facilities. When including those costs compared with our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

For America, a national health premium would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a framework already established. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. There would be both worker and company payments. Similar to much of our government's military, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than a government office.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would make management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to retirement and Medicare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would enable simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, rather than going through the complex (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits among workers – contrasted with the current system where they have to decipher the complexities of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. But I've learned that government has a significant role in society, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses that employ more than half of the country's workers and generate half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses experienced in recent years, it's evident that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning effectively. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, even with increased taxation that would be incurred, would remain a better and less expensive strategy for not only managing medical expenses but providing access for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. The US places significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality globally, according to major studies. Maybe one positive aspect amid current situation is that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.