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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. ACA. HMO. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? It's understandable. Who comprehends this complex system? Not the typical business owner. Neither the average worker. Selecting the right medical coverage for companies – or for our families – appears to require demands a PhD in medical insurance.

The Healthcare System Isn't Just Complex, It Is Expensive

According to a recent study, the average family spends $twenty-seven thousand annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Currently federal operations is shut down due to partisan disputes over tax credits that experts say will lead to a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I'm convinced we're approaching that point because this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. The existing system doesn't change. How our healthcare providers get paid changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need contributions from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker earning average wages must contribute approximately five point three percent to their healthcare. The company must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you contrast that with what average American pays. I know multiple clients that are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that with comprehensive systems, those payments include pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with funding medical services. When you add these expenses versus what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

In the US, a national health premium would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. There would be both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to much of our government's defense, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would make management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than separate payments to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than going through the complex (and fruitless) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers required annually every year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding about benefits among workers – contrasted with the current system where they have to interpret the complications of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for employers since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' medical records for purposes of weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that government has a significant role in our lives, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire more than half of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Certainly. But with rising medical expenses experienced in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning effectively. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a superior and less expensive approach for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

As Americans, must tone down national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot in this present circumstances is that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and agree that major reforms need to happen.