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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. HRA. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Not the typical business owner. Neither the average employee. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – seems like demands advanced expertise in healthcare.

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

According to a recent study, typical households spends $27,000 each year on medical coverage (increasing by 6% from last year). The average employer health insurance cost is expected to surpass $seventeen thousand for each worker in 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Now federal operations is shut down because partisan disputes regarding tax credits which analysts predict will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer since this can't continue.

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

How National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require contributions from employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee making average wages pays approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you compare it to what average American pays. I know multiple clients who are routinely paying between eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in inclusive programs, those payments include pension plans, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to supporting medical services. When you add these expenses compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

For America, a national health premium would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. There would be both worker and employer contribution. And, like many federal military, technology, social programs and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would render administration much easier (a payroll deduction remitted like social security and Medicare taxes, instead of individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complicated (and ineffective) process of negotiating with major insurers required annually every year. Due to simplification, there would be improved comprehension about benefits by our employees – as opposed to the current system which require them to interpret the complexities of existing plans. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for companies since we wouldn't have access to our employees' health histories for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in our lives, including national security to supporting essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage to all through a national insurance system enhances economic foundations. It represents superior, easier system for small businesses which hire the majority of the country's workers and generate half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, come to work more often and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Exist a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. Given rising medical expenses we've seen in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a better and more affordable strategy both for managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, must reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank significantly behind numerous nations with the best healthcare globally, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect amid current situation could be that we take serious examination at ourselves and agree that major reforms need to happen.