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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. COBRA. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Not the typical entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Choosing the right medical coverage for companies – or for households – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in medical insurance.

The Medical System Is More Than Complex, It Is Expensive

According to a recent study, the average family spends $27,000 annually for their health insurance (increasing by 6% compared to last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $17,000 per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Now federal operations is shut down due to partisan disputes regarding tax credits which analysts predict could cause premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program in the United States? I have to believe we're approaching that point because this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. The existing system doesn't change. How our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

How Universal Coverage Could Function

A national health insurance program would require contributions from both employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker making moderate income must contribute about five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Unless you compare it to what the typical US resident spends. I know multiple businesses that are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs for medical benefits. Remember that in comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover pension plans, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with funding healthcare facilities. When including those costs versus our current spending on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. There would be both worker and company payments. Similar to many federal military, IT, social programs and infrastructure, the program should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would put small companies in equal competition against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would render administration much easier (a payroll deduction remitted like social security 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) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would be improved comprehension about benefits by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to interpret the complications of existing plans. And there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't have access to workers' medical records for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in our lives, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It represents superior, easier system for small businesses which hire the majority of the country's workers and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Exist a million considerations I'm not addressing? Certainly. Given rising medical expenses experienced in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning very well. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, despite increased taxation that would be incurred, would remain a superior and less expensive strategy both for managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, must tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank well below many other countries with the best healthcare globally, based on major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect amid present circumstances could be that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and agree that big changes are necessary.