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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. SHOP. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Choosing the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – appears to require it requires a PhD in healthcare.

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

Based on a recent study, the average family spends $27,000 each year on medical coverage (increasing by 6% compared to last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $17,000 per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Currently the government is shut down due to political disagreements regarding tax credits that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

When will we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I'm convinced we're approaching that point since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. How medical professionals receive payment would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would require payments from both workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee making moderate income pays approximately five point three percent to their healthcare. Their employer must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Unless you compare it to what the typical American pays. I can name dozens of clients that are routinely paying between 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, those payments include retirement benefits, sick pay, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to supporting healthcare facilities. When including these expenses versus what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

In the US, a national health premium would increase existing Medicare taxes, a framework that is already in place. It ought to be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than those earning less. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to many our government's military, technology, social programs and infrastructure, the program should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for small businesses such as my company. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would render management much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, instead of individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses our yearly costs, rather than enduring the complex (and fruitless) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding of coverage by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complications of existing plans. And there would certainly be less liability for employers as we no longer have access to our employees' health histories for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

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 essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, simpler approach for entrepreneurs which hire more than half of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, even with increased taxation that would be incurred, would remain a superior and less expensive approach for not only controlling healthcare costs but providing access for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't exceptional. The US places significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect in this present circumstances could be that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.