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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. HDHP. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical employee. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – seems like it requires a PhD in healthcare.

The Medical System Is More Than Complex, It's Expensive

Based on a recent study, the average family spends $27,000 annually on medical coverage (up 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Currently the government is shut down due to partisan disputes over tax credits that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program here in America? I have to believe we're approaching that point since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – merely extend to cover everyone. The existing system doesn't change. The way medical professionals receive payment changes. Trust me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee making moderate income must contribute approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you contrast that with what the typical US resident spends. I know dozens of clients who are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that with inclusive programs, these contributions include pension plans, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with supporting medical services. When you add these expenses versus our current spending on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Implementation in the US

In the US, a national health premium would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. There would be both worker and company payments. Similar to much of federal military, IT, social programs and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would put small companies in equal competition against big corporations that can pay for better plans. It would render management much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, instead of going through the complicated (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding about benefits among workers – contrasted with the current system which require them to decipher the complexities of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for companies as we no longer have access to workers' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that government play important functions in our lives, including national security to supporting essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage to all through a national insurance system strengthens economic foundations. It represents superior, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire more than half of American employees and generate half the economic output. It makes it possible for workers to enjoy better health, come to work more often and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. But with rising medical expenses we've seen in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes required, would still be a better and less expensive approach for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. The US places well below numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, based on comprehensive research. Perhaps a positive aspect in this present circumstances is that we take serious examination at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes are necessary.