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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. HDHP. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the appropriate medical coverage for our business – or for households – appears to require it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

Our Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Costly

According to recent research, the average family pays $27,000 each year on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand for each worker in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Now the government is shut down due to partisan disputes regarding subsidies that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I have to believe we're approaching that point because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to cover everyone. The existing system doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from both employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker making moderate income must contribute approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer pays about 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Unless you compare that with what the typical American pays. I know multiple businesses that are routinely paying anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs for medical benefits. Remember that in inclusive programs, these contributions also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to funding medical services. When including those costs versus our current spending on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Execution in the US

For America, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It should be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and employer contribution. Similar to many federal military, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the program should be outsourced by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would place us on a level playing field with our larger competitors who can afford better plans. It would render management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would make it easier for us to budget annual expenditures, rather than going through the complicated (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding about benefits among workers – contrasted with the current system which require them to interpret the complexities of existing plans. And there would definitely exist less liability for employers as we no longer have access to our employees' medical records for weighing risks and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. But I've learned that government play important functions in society, including national security to supporting essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage to all through a national insurance system strengthens economic foundations. It represents superior, simpler approach for entrepreneurs that employ the majority of American employees and generate half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Exist a million considerations 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 effectively. I understand that we're not a compact European nation where big changes are easier to implement. But expanding universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes required, would still be a better and less expensive approach for not only managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. We rank well below many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, based on major studies. Perhaps a bright spot in this current situation could be that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes are necessary.