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Deductibles. In-network. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. POS. HDHP. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Choosing the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – seems like it requires advanced expertise in medical insurance.

Our Healthcare System Isn't Just Complicated, It Is Costly

According to recent research, the average family pays $27,000 annually for their health insurance (increasing by 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand for each worker in 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 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 in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. The way our healthcare providers receive payment would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.

The Way Universal Coverage Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from both workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker earning moderate income pays about 5.3% to their healthcare. The company pays about 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you compare that with what average American pays. I can name multiple clients who are routinely paying anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that in inclusive programs, these contributions also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection along with supporting healthcare facilities. When you add those costs compared with what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system that is already in place. It ought to be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to much of federal military, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the program should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Benefits for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would place us on a level playing field with our larger competitors that can pay for superior coverage. It would make management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, instead of separate payments to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would make simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complex (and fruitless) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complications of current options. And there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to our employees' medical records for purposes of weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that government has a significant role in our lives, including national security to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for small businesses which hire the majority of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It enables employees to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Exist numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working very well. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where big changes are easier to implement. But expanding universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a better and less expensive approach both for controlling healthcare costs but providing access to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank well below numerous nations with the best healthcare globally, according to major studies. Perhaps a bright spot amid present circumstances is that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.