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Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. COBRA. SHOP. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical business owner. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – appears to require demands advanced expertise in healthcare.

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

Based on recent research, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $17,000 for each worker in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Now the government has ceased functioning due to political disagreements over tax credits which analysts predict will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer because this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare system – an established insurance framework – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How medical professionals get paid would change. Trust me, they will adjust.

How National Health Insurance Would Work

A national health insurance program would require contributions from workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker earning moderate income pays about 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you contrast that with what average American pays. I know multiple businesses who are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that in comprehensive systems, these contributions include retirement benefits, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with supporting healthcare facilities. When you add those costs versus our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

For America, a national health premium would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. And, like much of our government's defense, technology, social programs and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for small businesses such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would render management much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier for us to budget annual expenditures, rather than going through the complex (and ineffective) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits by our employees – as opposed to the current system which require them to interpret the complications of current options. And there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for employers as we no longer have access to our employees' health histories for purposes of risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in society, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, easier system for small businesses that employ more than half of American employees and generate half the economic output. It enables employees to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I'm not addressing? Certainly. Given rising medical expenses experienced in recent years, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. I understand that America isn't a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, despite increased taxation required, would still be a superior and less expensive strategy both for controlling healthcare costs but providing access for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, must tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. The US places well below numerous nations with the best healthcare in the world, according to major studies. Maybe one positive aspect in this current situation is that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.