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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – seems like demands advanced expertise in healthcare.

Our Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It's Expensive

According to a recent study, the average family pays $27,000 annually on medical coverage (up 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to surpass $17,000 per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Currently federal operations is shut down due to partisan disputes regarding tax credits that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

When will we seriously consider a national health insurance program in the United States? I'm convinced we're approaching that point since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – merely extend to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. The way medical professionals receive payment would change. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would require contributions from both employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker earning moderate income pays about five point three percent to their healthcare. Their employer must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you contrast it to what average American pays. I know multiple businesses who are routinely paying between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that in comprehensive systems, those payments include pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with supporting medical services. When you add these expenses compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

In the US, a national health premium would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. There would be both worker and employer contribution. Similar to much of our government's defense, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the program could be managed to third-party administrators rather than a government office.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford better plans. It would render management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than going through the complicated (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with major insurers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would exist improved comprehension of coverage among workers – as opposed to the current system where they have to interpret the complications of current options. And there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for companies as we no longer have access to workers' medical records for weighing risks and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that government play important functions in society, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system strengthens economic foundations. It represents superior, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire more than half of American employees and generate half the economic output. It enables for workers to enjoy better health, have better attendance and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Exist numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where major reforms are easier to implement. However extending Medicare for all, despite the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a superior and more affordable strategy both for controlling healthcare costs but providing access for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, must tone down national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places well below numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, based on 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.