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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. ACA. HMO. PPO. EPO. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Not the typical entrepreneur. Neither the average employee. Selecting the right medical coverage for companies – or for households – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

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

Based on recent research, typical households pays $27,000 annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% from last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $17,000 for each worker by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently federal operations has ceased functioning because partisan disputes over tax credits that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program in the United States? I'm convinced we're getting closer since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. The existing system remains intact. How medical professionals receive payment changes. Trust me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

A national health insurance program would require payments from workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker earning average wages must contribute about 5.3% to their healthcare. The company pays about 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Unless you contrast that with what average US resident spends. I know multiple businesses that are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that with comprehensive systems, these contributions include retirement benefits, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When you add those costs versus what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

For America, a national health premium would raise existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. There would be both an employee and employer contribution. And, like many our government's military, technology, social programs and transportation services, the system could be managed to third-party administrators rather than a government office.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage would be a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would put small companies in equal competition against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would make management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of going through the complex (and ineffective) process of negotiating with major insurers required annually each year. Due to simplification, there would be improved comprehension of coverage among workers – contrasted with existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complications of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for companies as we no longer would be privy to workers' medical records for purposes of risk assessment and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as they get. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in our lives, including national security to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, easier system for small businesses which hire more than half of the country's workers and generate half the economic output. It enables for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Exist a million considerations I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, despite the additional taxes required, would remain a better and more affordable approach both for controlling healthcare costs but providing access for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, must tone down national pride. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. We rank well below many other countries with the best healthcare globally, according to major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect in this present circumstances could be that we take a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.