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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. HDHP. HSA. FSA. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average employee. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – appears to require demands advanced expertise in medical insurance.

Our Medical System Isn't Just Complicated, It's Expensive

According to a recent study, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand each year for their health insurance (increasing by 6% compared to last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Now the government has ceased functioning because political disagreements over subsidies that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

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

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system doesn't change. The way medical professionals receive payment would change. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from both employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker earning average wages must contribute about five point three percent toward medical coverage. The company pays about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you compare that with what average American pays. I can name dozens of businesses that are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, these contributions include retirement benefits, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting healthcare facilities. When including these expenses versus what we pay on retirement programs, 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 that is already in place. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. There would be both an employee and company payments. Similar to much of federal military, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the program could be managed to third-party administrators rather than a government office.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents a significant advantage for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would render management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction remitted like retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier for us to budget our yearly costs, rather than going through the complex (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with major insurers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would be improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – as opposed to the current system which require them to interpret the complexities of existing plans. And there would definitely exist less liability for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to our employees' 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 needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage to all via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for small businesses that employ more than half of the country's workers and generate half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning effectively. I understand that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes required, would remain a better and more affordable strategy for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to tone down national pride. America's medical care isn't so great. The US places well below many other countries in healthcare quality globally, based on major studies. Perhaps a bright spot in this present circumstances is that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and agree that major reforms are necessary.