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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical employee. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – seems like it requires a PhD in healthcare.

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

Based on recent research, the average family pays $27,000 each year for their health insurance (increasing by 6% from last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand for each worker in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Currently the government is shut down due to political disagreements over tax credits that experts say will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we seriously consider a national health insurance program in the United States? I'm convinced we're getting closer since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. The way medical professionals get paid would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.

The Way National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would require contributions from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker making average wages pays about five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you contrast it to what the typical American pays. I know multiple businesses who are routinely paying between 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in inclusive programs, those payments include retirement benefits, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection along with funding medical services. When including those costs versus what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It ought to be means-based – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. There would be both worker and employer contribution. Similar to many federal defense, technology, social programs and transportation services, the system 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 place us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would render administration significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would make simpler to plan expenses our yearly costs, instead of enduring the complicated (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with major insurers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – contrasted with the current system which require them to interpret the complexities of existing plans. Additionally there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for employers since we wouldn't would be privy to our employees' medical records for purposes of weighing risks and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in our lives, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system enhances economic foundations. It represents superior, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire more than half of the country's workers and fund half the economic output. It enables for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning effectively. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a better and less expensive strategy both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. The US places well below numerous nations in healthcare quality globally, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot amid current situation could be that we take a hard look in the mirror and agree that big changes are necessary.