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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Not the typical business owner. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the appropriate medical coverage for our business – or for households – appears to require it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

The Healthcare System Isn't Just Complicated, It Is 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 company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Now the government has ceased functioning because partisan disputes over tax credits that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we seriously consider a national health insurance program here in America? I have to believe we're getting closer since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare program – an established insurance framework – merely extend to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. The way medical professionals get paid would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from both employees and employers. In comparable systems, an employee earning average wages must contribute approximately five point three percent to their healthcare. The company must contribute about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Unless you compare it to what average US resident spends. I can name multiple businesses that are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection along with supporting medical services. When you add those costs versus what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

In the US, a national health premium would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a system that is already in place. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. This includes both an employee and company payments. Similar to many our government's defense, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the program should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Benefits for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would make administration much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complex (and fruitless) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – contrasted with existing arrangements which require them to interpret the complexities of current options. Additionally there would certainly be reduced responsibility for employers since we wouldn't have access to our employees' medical records for weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in society, including national security to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It represents superior, easier system for small businesses which hire more than half of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Exist numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working very well. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a superior and less expensive strategy both for managing medical expenses but providing access for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to tone down national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare globally, based on comprehensive research. Perhaps a bright spot amid present circumstances could be that we take serious examination in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.