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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? You should be. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Selecting the appropriate medical coverage for our business – or for households – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

Our Medical System Isn't Just Complicated, It's Expensive

Based on recent research, the average family pays $27,000 annually for their health insurance (increasing by 6% from last year). The average employer health insurance cost is expected to surpass $17,000 per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now the government is shut down due to political disagreements regarding subsidies that experts say will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Might We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

When will we seriously consider a national health insurance program in the United States? I'm convinced we're approaching that point because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers receive payment would change. Trust me, they will adjust.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would require contributions from both workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee earning average wages pays approximately five point three percent to their healthcare. Their employer pays about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem like a lot? Unless you compare that with what the typical American pays. I can name multiple businesses that are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, these contributions include pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and job loss protection along with supporting medical services. When you add those costs versus what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Implementation in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework that is already in place. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. This includes both an employee and company payments. Similar to many our government's defense, technology, social programs and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Benefits for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would put us on a level playing field with our larger competitors that can pay for better plans. It would make administration much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than enduring the complex (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Due to simplification, there would be improved comprehension of coverage among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complexities of existing plans. And there would certainly be reduced responsibility for employers as we no longer have access to our employees' health histories for risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in society, including national security to supporting essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage to all via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses which hire the majority of the country's workers and generate half the economic output. It enables employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. Given rising medical expenses we've seen in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation is not working very well. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending Medicare for all, despite the additional taxes required, would remain a superior and more affordable strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. The US places significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality globally, based on major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect amid current situation could be that we take serious examination at ourselves and agree that big changes are necessary.