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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who comprehends this complex system? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical employee. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

The Healthcare System Isn't Just Complex, It's Expensive

Based on a recent study, typical households spends $27,000 each year for their health insurance (increasing by 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $17,000 for each worker by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

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

When Might We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we seriously consider a national health insurance program here in America? I'm convinced we're approaching that point because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system doesn't change. How medical professionals get paid changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee making moderate income must contribute approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. The company pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear like a lot? Unless you contrast it to what the typical American pays. I can name dozens of clients that are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that with inclusive programs, these contributions also cover retirement benefits, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with supporting healthcare facilities. When including those costs compared with our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution in the US

For America, a national health premium would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a framework already established. It ought to be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and company payments. Similar to much of our government's military, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the program should be outsourced by private contractors instead of a government office.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would make management much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier for us to budget annual expenditures, rather than enduring the complicated (and ineffective) process of bargaining with major insurers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding about benefits among workers – contrasted with the current system which require them to decipher the complications of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for employers as we no longer would be privy to our employees' medical records for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs that employ more than half of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's evident that current healthcare legislation is not working very well. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, despite increased taxation required, would remain a superior and less expensive approach for not only managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, based on major studies. Maybe one bright spot in this current situation could be that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and agree that major reforms are necessary.