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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. ACA. HMO. PPO. EPO. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – seems like it requires a PhD in healthcare.

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

Based on a recent study, the average family pays $27,000 annually for their health insurance (increasing by 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently the government is shut down because political disagreements regarding tax credits 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 universal healthcare coverage here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.

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. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from both employees and employers. In similar programs, a worker earning average wages pays about five point three percent to their healthcare. The company must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this appear like a lot? Not if you contrast that with what the typical American pays. I can name multiple clients that are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that with comprehensive systems, those payments also cover retirement benefits, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to funding medical services. When you add those costs versus what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

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 means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. There would be both worker and company payments. And, like many federal defense, technology, social programs and transportation services, the program should be outsourced by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage 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 retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than 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 ineffective) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding of coverage by our employees – contrasted with the current system where they have to decipher the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for companies as we no longer would be privy to workers' medical records for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in society, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It represents superior, easier system for small businesses which hire more than half of American employees and generate half the economic output. It enables employees to be healthier, come to work more often and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Exist a million considerations I haven't covered? Of course there are. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning effectively. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes required, would still be a better and less expensive strategy both for controlling healthcare costs but providing access to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to tone down national pride. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank well below numerous nations in healthcare quality globally, according to major studies. Maybe one bright spot in this current situation could be that we take a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.