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Deductibles. In-network. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? It's understandable. Who comprehends this complex system? Not the typical business owner. Nor the typical employee. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – seems like demands advanced expertise in medical insurance.

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

Based on recent research, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now the government is shut down because partisan disputes regarding subsidies that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I have to believe we're approaching that point since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – merely extend to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. How our healthcare providers get paid would change. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

A national health insurance program would require payments from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker earning moderate income must contribute approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. The company must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you compare it to what the typical US resident spends. I know multiple businesses who are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. And keep in mind that in inclusive programs, these contributions also cover pension plans, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection along with supporting medical services. When including those costs compared with our current spending on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a system that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would pay more than those earning less. This includes both an employee and company payments. Similar to much of federal military, IT, social programs and transportation services, the system could be managed to third-party administrators rather than a government office.

Advantages for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put us on a level playing field with our larger competitors that can pay for better plans. It would make administration much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would make simpler for us to budget our yearly costs, instead of enduring the complex (and fruitless) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding of coverage among workers – contrasted with existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would certainly be less liability for employers since we wouldn't have access to our employees' health histories for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that government has a significant role in society, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses which hire more than half of the country's workers and fund half the economic output. It enables for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Exist numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with rising medical expenses we've seen in recent years, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working very well. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a better and less expensive strategy both for controlling healthcare costs but providing access to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't exceptional. The US places well below numerous nations with the best healthcare globally, according to major studies. Perhaps a bright spot in this current situation could be that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.