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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. ACA. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical business owner. Neither the average worker. Selecting the right medical coverage for our business – or for households – seems like it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

The Healthcare System Isn't Just Complicated, It Is Expensive

According to a recent study, typical households pays $27,000 annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to surpass $17,000 per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

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

When Might We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

When will we seriously consider a national health insurance program in the United States? I have to believe we're approaching that point 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. The existing system doesn't change. How medical professionals receive payment changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need contributions from employees and employers. In comparable systems, an employee earning moderate income must contribute about 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you contrast it to what the typical American pays. I can name dozens of businesses that are routinely paying anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs for medical benefits. Remember that in comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover retirement benefits, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection along with supporting healthcare facilities. When you add those costs compared with what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Execution for America

For America, a national health premium would increase existing Medicare taxes, a framework that is already in place. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than those earning less. There would be both an employee and employer contribution. And, like much of federal defense, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for small businesses such as my company. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford better plans. It would render management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and Medicare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would make simpler for us to budget our yearly costs, instead of enduring the complex (and ineffective) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding about benefits by our employees – contrasted with existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complexities of current options. Additionally there would certainly be reduced responsibility for companies as we no longer would be privy 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 our lives, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system enhances economic foundations. 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 makes it possible for workers to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes required, would still be a superior and more affordable strategy for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, according to major studies. Maybe one positive aspect amid current situation is that we undertake serious examination in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes are necessary.