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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average employee. Choosing the appropriate medical coverage for our business – or for our families – seems like it requires advanced expertise in medical insurance.

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

According to a recent study, the average family pays $27,000 each year for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to surpass $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 which analysts predict will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

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

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. The existing system remains intact. How our healthcare providers get paid changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would require contributions from workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker earning average wages pays approximately five point three percent to their healthcare. The company pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear like a lot? Unless you contrast that with what average American pays. I know dozens of clients that are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that with comprehensive systems, those payments include retirement benefits, sick pay, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When including these expenses compared with our current spending 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 existing Medicare taxes, a framework that is already in place. It should 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 federal defense, technology, social programs and transportation services, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would make management much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would enable it easier for us to budget our yearly costs, instead of going through the complex (and ineffective) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually 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 complexities of existing plans. And there would definitely exist less liability for companies as we no longer have access to workers' health histories for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that government play important functions in society, including national security to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system enhances economic foundations. It represents superior, simpler approach for entrepreneurs which hire more than half of the country's workers and generate half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Exist a million considerations I'm not addressing? Certainly. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where big changes are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes required, would remain a better and more affordable approach both for managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. The US places well below many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect amid current situation is that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes are necessary.