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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. EPO. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? It's understandable. Who comprehends this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – seems like it requires a PhD in healthcare.

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

According to a recent study, typical households spends $27,000 annually for their health insurance (increasing by 6% from last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $17,000 for each worker by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Currently federal operations is shut down because partisan disputes regarding subsidies that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage here in America? I'm convinced we're approaching that point because this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would require contributions from workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee earning moderate income must contribute about 5.3% to their healthcare. The company must contribute about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear like a lot? Unless you compare it to what the typical American pays. I can name dozens of businesses that are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. And keep in mind that with inclusive programs, those payments also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, parental benefits and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting medical services. When including these expenses compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution in the US

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. There would be both an employee and company payments. And, like many our government's military, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the system could be managed by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would make management much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and Medicare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of going through the complex (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with major insurers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding of coverage among workers – contrasted with existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would certainly be reduced responsibility for employers since we wouldn't have access to our employees' health histories for risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that government play important functions in our lives, including national security to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs that employ the majority of American employees and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. Given all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes required, would remain a better and more affordable strategy both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank significantly behind numerous nations with the best healthcare globally, based on major studies. Maybe one bright spot amid present circumstances could be that we take serious examination at ourselves and agree that big changes need to happen.