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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical business owner. Neither the average employee. Choosing the appropriate medical coverage for companies – or for households – appears to require demands advanced expertise in medical insurance.

The Medical System Is More Than Complex, It's Expensive

According to recent research, the average family spends $27,000 annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% compared to last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is projected to surpass $17,000 per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now federal operations is shut down because political disagreements over subsidies that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

When will we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. The existing system remains intact. The way medical professionals receive payment changes. Trust me, they will adjust.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would need contributions from workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee making average wages must contribute approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. The company pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear like a lot? Unless you compare it to what the typical American pays. I can name multiple clients that are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that with comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with supporting medical services. When you add these expenses versus what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Implementation for America

For America, a national health premium would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. There would be both worker and employer contribution. And, like many federal military, technology, social programs and infrastructure, the program could be managed to third-party administrators rather than a government office.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage would be a huge benefit for small businesses such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would make management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than separate payments to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complicated (and ineffective) process of bargaining with major insurers required annually every year. Due to simplification, there would be improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – as opposed to the current system which require them to decipher the complexities of current options. And there would certainly be reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' medical records for purposes of weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that government has a significant role in society, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone through a national insurance system strengthens economic foundations. It represents superior, easier system for small businesses that employ more than half of American employees and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses experienced in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation is not working very well. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, even with increased taxation that would be incurred, would still be a superior and less expensive strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

As Americans, must tone down national pride. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare globally, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect in this current situation could be that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.