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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Not the typical entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Selecting the right medical coverage for companies – or for our families – seems like it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

Our Healthcare System Isn't Just Complex, It Is Expensive

Based on a recent study, typical households spends $27,000 each year for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $17,000 per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Currently federal operations has ceased functioning due to political disagreements over subsidies that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I have to believe we're approaching that point because this can't continue.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – merely extend to cover everyone. Our infrastructure remains intact. How medical professionals get paid changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker making average wages pays approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer pays about 13.75%.

Does this appear like a lot? Unless you compare it to what the typical American pays. I can name dozens of clients who are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that with inclusive programs, those payments also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection along with supporting medical services. When you add these expenses compared with our current spending on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Implementation for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. This includes both worker and company payments. And, like much of our government's military, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the program should be outsourced by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors that can pay for better plans. It would make management much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, instead of individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would make simpler for us to budget our yearly costs, rather than going through the complicated (and ineffective) process of bargaining with major insurers required annually each year. Due to simplification, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complexities of current options. And there would certainly be less liability for employers as we no longer have access to workers' health histories for risk assessment and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in society, from providing defense to funding needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, simpler approach for small businesses which hire the majority of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Certainly. Given rising medical expenses we've seen in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act is not working very well. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where big changes are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes required, would remain a superior and more affordable approach for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, must tone down national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality globally, according to major studies. Maybe one positive aspect in this present circumstances is that we take a hard look in the mirror and agree that major reforms are necessary.