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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Single coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Not the typical entrepreneur. Neither the average employee. Choosing the appropriate medical coverage for companies – or for households – seems like demands advanced expertise in medical insurance.

The Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Costly

Based on a recent study, the average family pays $twenty-seven thousand each year on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is expected to surpass $17,000 per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Now the government is shut down because partisan disputes over subsidies that experts say will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I'm convinced we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. The way medical professionals get paid would change. Believe me, they will adjust.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would require contributions from employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker earning average wages pays about 5.3% to their healthcare. The company pays about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you contrast that with what average American pays. I can name dozens of businesses who are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover retirement benefits, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with supporting medical services. When including these expenses versus our current spending 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 system that is already in place. It ought to be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. There would be both worker and company payments. And, like many our government's military, IT, social programs and infrastructure, the system could be managed to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Benefits for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors that can pay for superior coverage. It would render management much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complex (and ineffective) process of bargaining with major insurers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would be improved comprehension of coverage among workers – as opposed to the current system where they have to decipher the complications of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for companies as we no longer would be privy to workers' medical records for purposes of weighing risks and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in our lives, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs that employ the majority of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. But with rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding universal Medicare, despite increased taxation that would be incurred, would still be a better and more affordable approach both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank well below numerous nations in healthcare quality globally, based on comprehensive research. Perhaps a positive aspect amid present circumstances is that we undertake serious examination in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.