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Deductibles. In-network. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. HMO. PPO. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average worker. Selecting the appropriate medical coverage for companies – or for households – appears to require demands advanced expertise in healthcare.

The Medical System Isn't Just Complex, It's Costly

According to recent research, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand for each worker in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now the government is shut down because partisan disputes over tax credits which analysts predict will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

When will we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage here in America? I have to believe we're getting closer since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How our healthcare providers receive payment would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.

The Way National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would need payments from both employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee earning average wages must contribute about five point three percent to their healthcare. Their employer pays about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear like a lot? Not if you compare it to what average US resident spends. I know dozens of clients who are routinely paying between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that in inclusive programs, those payments also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When you add those costs compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

In the US, a national health premium would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a system that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and company payments. Similar to much of federal military, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the program could be managed by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would place small companies in equal competition against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would render administration much easier (a payroll deduction remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier for us to budget annual expenditures, rather than going through the complex (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with major insurers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits by our employees – contrasted with the current system where they have to interpret the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would certainly be reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' medical records for weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in our lives, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It enables employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning very well. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, even with increased taxation required, would still be a better and less expensive strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, must tone down national pride. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. The US places well below many other countries in healthcare quality globally, based on major studies. Maybe one bright spot in this current situation is that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.