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Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. ACA. HMO. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. HDHP. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the appropriate medical coverage for our business – or for our families – appears to require demands advanced expertise in healthcare.

The Healthcare System Isn't Just Complicated, It Is Costly

According to recent research, typical households spends $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is expected to surpass $seventeen thousand for each worker in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now federal operations is shut down due to political disagreements over tax credits that experts say will lead to 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 in the United States? I'm convinced we're approaching that point since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare system – an established insurance framework – merely extend to cover everyone. Our infrastructure remains intact. The way our healthcare providers get paid would change. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker earning moderate income must contribute about 5.3% to their healthcare. The company must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear like a lot? Not if you contrast it to what the typical US resident spends. I can name multiple businesses that are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs for medical benefits. And keep in mind that with inclusive programs, these contributions include pension plans, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection along with funding medical services. When including those costs compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

In the US, a national health premium would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. There would be both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to much of our government's military, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the program should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would make management much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and Medicare taxes, instead of individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would make it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of going through the complex (and ineffective) process of negotiating with major insurers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding of coverage among workers – as opposed to the current system where they have to interpret the complications of current options. Additionally there would certainly be reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' health histories for risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. However I recognize that government has a significant role in society, including national security to supporting essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage to all through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses that employ more than half of American employees and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Exist numerous factors I'm not addressing? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses we've seen in recent years, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning very well. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, despite the additional taxes required, would remain a better and more affordable approach for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to tone down national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank well below numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, based on comprehensive research. Perhaps a positive aspect in this current situation could be that we take serious examination at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.