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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. HDHP. HSA. FSA. HRA. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – appears to require it requires a PhD in healthcare.

Our Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It's Expensive

According to a recent study, the average family spends $27,000 annually for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $seventeen thousand for each worker in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently the government is shut down due to partisan disputes regarding tax credits which analysts predict could cause a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

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

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. How medical professionals receive payment changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require contributions from employees and employers. In similar programs, a worker earning moderate income pays approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Unless you contrast that with what the typical US resident spends. I know multiple clients that are routinely paying between eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that in comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover retirement benefits, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting medical services. When including these expenses versus what we pay on retirement programs, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution in the US

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It should be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. This includes both worker and company payments. Similar to much of our government's defense, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would make management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would make it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, instead of going through the complex (and ineffective) process of bargaining with major insurers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding of coverage among workers – contrasted with the current system which require them to decipher the complications of current options. And there would certainly be less liability for employers as we no longer 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 play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, simpler approach for small businesses that employ more than half of American employees and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Exist numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes required, would remain a better and less expensive strategy for not only managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, must reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't exceptional. The US places significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality globally, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot amid present circumstances could be that we take a hard look in the mirror and agree that major reforms need to happen.