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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical employee. Choosing the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – seems like it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

Our Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Costly

According to a recent study, the average family 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.

Currently federal operations is shut down due to political disagreements over tax credits that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

When will we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I'm convinced we're approaching that point because this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm proposing for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to cover everyone. Our infrastructure remains intact. The way medical professionals get paid would change. Believe me, they will adjust.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

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

Does this appear expensive? Unless you compare that with what the typical US resident spends. I can name dozens of clients that are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs for medical benefits. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, those payments include retirement benefits, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with funding medical services. When you add those costs versus our current spending for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Execution for America

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It ought to be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. There would be both worker and company payments. And, like much of federal defense, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the program could be managed to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would place us on a level playing field with our larger competitors who can afford better plans. It would render management much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and Medicare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would make it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, rather than enduring the complicated (and fruitless) theater of bargaining 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 existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would certainly be reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to our employees' medical records for purposes of weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in society, including national security to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for small businesses which hire the majority of American employees and generate half the economic output. It enables employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Exist numerous factors I haven't covered? Certainly. But with rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning effectively. I understand that America isn't a compact European nation where big changes are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, despite the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a superior and less expensive strategy for not only managing medical expenses but providing access for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, we need to tone down national pride. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. We rank significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot in this current situation is that we take serious examination at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.