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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the appropriate medical coverage for our business – or for households – seems like demands a PhD in medical insurance.

The Healthcare System Isn't Just Complicated, It's Expensive

According to a recent study, typical households pays $27,000 annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% compared to last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is expected to surpass $17,000 per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes regarding tax credits which analysts predict will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program in the United States? I'm convinced we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare system – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. The way our healthcare providers get paid would change. Trust me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from both workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee making average wages must contribute approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you compare it to what the typical American pays. I know multiple clients who are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that with inclusive programs, these contributions include pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When you add those costs compared with our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution in the US

For America, a national health premium would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework that is already in place. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and company payments. And, like much of federal defense, IT, welfare services 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 huge benefit for small businesses such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford better plans. It would make administration significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses our yearly costs, instead of going through the complex (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would exist improved comprehension of coverage among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complications of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for companies since we wouldn't have access to our employees' medical records for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in society, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It represents superior, easier system for small businesses which hire the majority of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It enables employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning very well. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where big changes are easier to implement. But expanding universal Medicare, even with increased taxation required, would still be a superior and more affordable strategy for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

As Americans, must reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. We rank well below many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, according to comprehensive research. Perhaps a positive aspect in this current situation could be that we take serious examination in the mirror and agree that big changes are necessary.