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Deductibles. In-network. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. HDHP. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical business owner. Neither the average worker. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – seems like it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

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

According to recent research, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand each year on medical coverage (up 6% compared to last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $17,000 for each worker in 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Now federal operations is shut down because partisan disputes regarding subsidies which analysts predict could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're approaching that point because this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. How our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

A national health insurance program would need contributions from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee earning moderate income pays approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. The company pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear like a lot? Unless you contrast that with what the typical American pays. I can name dozens of businesses who are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and job loss protection along with funding medical services. When including those costs compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Implementation in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It ought to be means-based – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. There would be both an employee and employer contribution. And, like much of our government's military, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the program should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would place small companies in equal competition against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would render administration significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would make it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than enduring the complex (and ineffective) theater of negotiating with major insurers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complexities of current options. And there would certainly be less liability for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' medical records for purposes of risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. But I've learned that government play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses that employ more than half of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It enables for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Exist numerous factors I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. I understand that America isn't a compact European nation where big changes are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes required, would remain a superior and more affordable approach both for managing medical expenses but providing access for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank well below many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, based on major studies. Perhaps a bright spot in this current situation is that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and agree that major reforms are necessary.