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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. HRA. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average worker. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in medical insurance.

The Healthcare System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Expensive

According to a recent study, the average family pays $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $seventeen thousand for each worker in 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Now federal operations has ceased functioning because partisan disputes regarding subsidies which analysts predict will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might 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 national healthcare. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to cover everyone. Our infrastructure remains intact. How our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Trust me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee earning average wages must contribute approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Unless you contrast it to what average American pays. I know multiple clients who are routinely paying between 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection along with funding healthcare facilities. When you add those costs compared with what we pay on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Execution 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 income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. There would be both an employee and company payments. Similar to many federal military, IT, social programs and transportation services, the program could be managed by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would make management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, instead of going through the complicated (and fruitless) process of negotiating with major insurers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would be improved comprehension of coverage among workers – contrasted with the current system which require them to interpret the complications of existing plans. And there would certainly be reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to our employees' health histories for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in society, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning very well. I understand that America isn't a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, despite increased taxation that would be incurred, would remain a better and more affordable approach for not only managing medical expenses but providing access for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, we need to reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't exceptional. The US places well below many other countries with the best healthcare globally, according to major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect in this current situation is that we take a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.