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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. SHOP. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? It's understandable. Who comprehends this complex system? Not the typical business owner. Neither the average worker. Choosing the right medical coverage for companies – or for households – appears to require demands a PhD in healthcare.

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

According to a recent study, typical households pays $27,000 each year for their health insurance (increasing by 6% compared to last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now federal operations has ceased functioning because partisan disputes over tax credits which analysts predict could cause premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I'm convinced we're approaching that point because this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How medical professionals get paid would change. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would need payments from workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker earning moderate income must contribute about 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Unless you compare it to what the typical US resident spends. I know multiple clients who are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that in inclusive programs, these contributions include pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with funding healthcare facilities. When including these expenses versus what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation in the US

In the US, a national health premium would raise existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It ought to be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. There would be both worker and employer contribution. Similar to much of federal defense, IT, social programs and transportation services, the program could be managed to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program would be a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors that can pay for superior coverage. It would make administration significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, rather than going through the complex (and ineffective) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits among workers – contrasted with existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't have access to our employees' health histories for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that government play important functions in our lives, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system enhances economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for small businesses which hire the majority of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. I understand that America isn't a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. However extending Medicare for all, despite increased taxation that would be incurred, would still be a superior and less expensive approach for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank significantly behind numerous nations with the best healthcare globally, based on major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect amid current situation could be that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.