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Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? You should be. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Choosing the appropriate medical coverage for companies – or for our families – appears to require demands a PhD in medical insurance.

Our Healthcare System Is More Than Complex, It Is Expensive

Based on a recent study, typical households pays $27,000 each year for their health insurance (increasing by 6% from last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand for each worker by 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Now federal operations has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes regarding tax credits that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program here in America? I have to believe we're getting closer since this can't continue.

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

How National Health Insurance Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would require contributions from both employees and employers. In comparable systems, an employee earning moderate income must contribute about five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer pays about 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Unless you compare it to what the typical US resident spends. I can name dozens of clients that are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. Remember that with inclusive programs, those payments include pension plans, illness coverage, parental benefits and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting medical services. When you add these expenses compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

In the US, a national health premium would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and employer contribution. Similar to much of federal defense, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced by private contractors rather than a government office.

Benefits for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would render administration much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of going through the complex (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complexities of current options. And there would definitely exist less liability for companies since we wouldn't have access to our employees' medical records for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in our lives, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage to all via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for small businesses which hire the majority of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It enables employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning very well. And I realize that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. However extending Medicare for all, despite increased taxation required, would remain a better and more affordable approach for not only controlling healthcare costs but providing access to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank well below many other countries with the best healthcare globally, according to comprehensive research. Perhaps a positive aspect in this current situation could be that we take serious examination at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.