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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. ACA. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. HDHP. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? You should be. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Neither the average employee. Selecting the right medical coverage for our business – or for our families – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in medical insurance.

Our Healthcare System Is More Than Complex, It's Costly

According to recent research, the average family pays $twenty-seven thousand each year for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Now federal operations is shut down due to partisan disputes regarding subsidies which analysts predict could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage here in America? I'm convinced we're approaching that point since this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. The way medical professionals get paid would change. Believe me, they will adjust.

How Universal Coverage Could Function

A national health insurance program would need payments from employees and employers. In comparable systems, an employee making moderate income must contribute about five point three percent to their healthcare. Their employer pays about 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you compare it to what the typical American pays. I can name multiple clients who are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, those payments include pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to funding medical services. When including those costs compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

For America, a national health premium would increase existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. There would be both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to many our government's military, IT, social programs and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than a government office.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford better plans. It would make management much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and healthcare 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 enduring the complex (and ineffective) theater of negotiating with major insurers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding of coverage among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complications of current options. And there would certainly be less liability for employers since we wouldn't would be privy to our employees' medical records for weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that government play important functions in society, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of American employees and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible for workers to enjoy better health, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced recently, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act is not working very well. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, despite increased taxation required, would still be a better and less expensive approach both for managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, must tone down national pride. America's medical care isn't so great. The US places well below many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, based on major studies. Maybe one bright spot in this present circumstances is that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.