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Deductibles. In-network. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Choosing the appropriate medical coverage for our business – or for our families – seems like demands advanced expertise in healthcare.

Our Medical System Is More Than Complex, It's Costly

According to a recent study, typical households spends $27,000 annually for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is expected to surpass $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

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

When Will We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I have to believe we're approaching that point because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. The way our healthcare providers get paid would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker making average wages must contribute approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. The company pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear like a lot? Unless you contrast that with what average American pays. I know dozens of businesses who are routinely paying between eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, those payments also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection along with funding healthcare facilities. When you add these expenses versus our current spending on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

For America, a national health premium would raise existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. It ought to be means-based – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. There would be both worker and company payments. Similar to many our government's defense, IT, social programs and infrastructure, the program could be managed to third-party administrators rather than a government office.

Benefits for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would render management much easier (a payroll deduction remitted like retirement and Medicare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of going through the complicated (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding of coverage among workers – contrasted with the current system which require them to decipher the complications of existing plans. And there would certainly be less liability for companies as we no longer would be privy to workers' health histories for weighing risks and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that government 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 the majority of American employees and generate half the economic output. It enables for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Exist a million considerations I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning effectively. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes are easier to implement. However extending Medicare for all, despite increased taxation required, would still be a better and less expensive approach both for managing medical expenses but providing access for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, must tone down national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank well below numerous nations with the best healthcare in the world, based on major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect amid present circumstances is that we undertake serious examination in the mirror and agree that big changes need to happen.