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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. HMO. PPO. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. SHOP. Single coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Choosing the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – seems like demands a PhD in medical insurance.

Our Healthcare System Isn't Just Complicated, It's Expensive

According to recent research, the average family spends $twenty-seven thousand each year for their health insurance (increasing by 6% compared to last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is projected to surpass $seventeen thousand for each worker by 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes regarding subsidies which analysts predict could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Might We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

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

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – merely extend to cover everyone. The existing system doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers get paid changes. Trust me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would require contributions from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker earning moderate income pays approximately five point three percent to their healthcare. The company pays about 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Unless you compare it to what the typical US resident spends. I can name multiple businesses who are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs for medical benefits. Remember that in inclusive programs, those payments include retirement benefits, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection along with funding medical services. When including these expenses compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Implementation for America

In the US, a national health premium would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework that is already in place. It ought to be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and employer contribution. Similar to many our government's defense, technology, social programs and infrastructure, the program could be managed to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would render management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and Medicare taxes, instead of individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, instead of enduring the complicated (and fruitless) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding of coverage by our employees – as opposed to the current system which require them to interpret the complications of current options. And there would certainly be less liability for employers as we no longer would be privy to workers' medical records for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in society, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It represents superior, simpler approach for small businesses which hire the majority of American employees and fund half the economic output. It enables for workers to enjoy better health, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Exist numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with rising medical expenses we've seen recently, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act is not working very well. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where big changes are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, even with increased taxation required, would remain a superior and less expensive strategy both for controlling healthcare costs but providing access for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. The US places well below many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, based on major studies. Maybe one positive aspect amid current situation could be that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and agree that big changes need to happen.