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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who comprehends this complex system? Not the typical business owner. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – appears to require demands advanced expertise in medical insurance.

The Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It's Costly

According to recent research, the average family spends $27,000 each year for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $17,000 per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently federal operations has ceased functioning due to political disagreements regarding subsidies that experts say will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I'm convinced we're approaching that point since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. How medical professionals receive payment changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would require contributions from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker making moderate income must contribute approximately five point three percent to their healthcare. Their employer pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear like a lot? Unless you compare it to what average American pays. I know dozens of businesses that are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that in comprehensive systems, those payments also cover pension plans, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection along with supporting healthcare facilities. When you add these expenses compared with what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

For America, 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 contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to many federal military, IT, social programs and transportation services, the system could be managed to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford better plans. It would make management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses our yearly costs, instead of going through the complicated (and ineffective) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually every year. Because it's simplified, there would be improved comprehension of coverage among workers – as opposed to the current system where they have to interpret the complexities of existing plans. And there would certainly be less liability for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to our employees' medical records 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 society, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, simpler approach for entrepreneurs that employ the majority of American employees and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, come to work more often and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, despite increased taxation required, would still be a superior and more affordable approach for not only controlling healthcare costs but providing access to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, must tone down our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot amid present circumstances is that we take serious examination in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.