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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? It's understandable. Who comprehends this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Choosing the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – seems like demands advanced expertise in healthcare.

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

Based on a recent study, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now federal operations has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes over subsidies that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Might We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might 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 suggesting government-run medicine. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. The existing system doesn't change. How our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from employees and employers. In comparable systems, an employee earning average wages pays about 5.3% toward medical coverage. The company pays about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you compare it to what the typical US resident spends. I know dozens of businesses that are routinely paying between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that with inclusive programs, those payments include pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting healthcare facilities. When including these expenses versus what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

In the US, a national health premium would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. And, like many federal military, IT, social programs and transportation services, the system could be managed to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would make management much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier for us to budget our yearly costs, rather than 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 improved comprehension about benefits by our employees – as opposed to the current system where they have to interpret the complexities of existing plans. And there would definitely exist less liability for employers since we wouldn't would be privy to our employees' health histories for purposes of risk assessment and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that government play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, simpler approach for entrepreneurs that employ more than half of American employees and generate half the economic output. It makes it possible for workers to enjoy better health, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. Given all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning 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 the additional taxes required, would still be a superior and less expensive approach for not only managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. The US places significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality globally, based on comprehensive research. Perhaps a positive aspect in this present circumstances could be that we take serious examination at ourselves and agree that major reforms need to happen.