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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Choosing the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – seems like demands advanced expertise in medical insurance.

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

According to a recent study, the average family pays $twenty-seven thousand annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% compared to last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $17,000 per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Currently the government is shut down due to partisan disputes regarding tax credits that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider a national health insurance program here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer because this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to include all citizens. The existing system remains intact. How medical professionals receive payment changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Could Function

A national health insurance program would require contributions from workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker making moderate income pays approximately five point three percent to their healthcare. The company must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you compare that with what average American pays. I know multiple clients that are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that in inclusive programs, these contributions also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting medical services. When you add those costs versus our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Execution in the US

In the US, a national health premium would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a system that is already in place. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and company payments. And, like many federal military, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the system could be managed to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Benefits for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program would be a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would make administration 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 for us to budget our yearly costs, rather than going through the complicated (and fruitless) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would be improved comprehension about benefits by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for companies since we wouldn't have access to workers' health histories for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in society, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone through a national insurance system enhances economic foundations. It represents superior, simpler approach for small businesses which hire more than half of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to enjoy better health, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where major reforms are easier to implement. However extending Medicare for all, even with increased taxation that would be incurred, would remain a better and less expensive approach both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, based on comprehensive research. Perhaps a bright spot amid present circumstances is that we take a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.