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Deductibles. In-network. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. 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? It's understandable. Who comprehends this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the appropriate medical coverage for companies – or for households – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

Our Medical System Isn't Just Complex, It Is Costly

Based on a recent study, the average family spends $27,000 annually for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand for each worker in 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Now the government is shut down due to partisan disputes over tax credits which analysts predict 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 in the United States? I'm convinced we're getting closer because this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. The existing system doesn't change. How medical professionals receive payment would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need contributions from employees and employers. In comparable systems, an employee earning moderate income must contribute approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Unless you compare that with what the typical US resident spends. I know dozens of clients who are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover retirement benefits, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with funding healthcare facilities. When including these expenses versus what we pay on retirement programs, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Implementation in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. This includes both worker and employer contribution. Similar to much of our government's defense, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

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 better plans. It would render management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and Medicare taxes, instead of individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, instead of going through the complicated (and fruitless) process of bargaining with major insurers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would be improved comprehension of coverage among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complications of existing plans. And there would certainly be reduced responsibility for employers as we no longer would be privy to workers' medical records for risk assessment and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses that employ more than half of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It enables employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. Given rising medical expenses we've seen in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning very well. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes required, would still be a superior and less expensive strategy both for managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. The US places significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, according to major studies. Perhaps a bright spot amid current situation is that we take serious examination in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.