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Deductibles. In-network. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical business owner. Neither the average employee. Choosing the right medical coverage for our business – or for households – appears to require demands advanced expertise in healthcare.

The Medical System Isn't Just Complicated, It Is Expensive

According to recent research, typical households spends $twenty-seven thousand annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% compared to last year). Typical company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $17,000 per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Currently federal operations is shut down because partisan disputes over subsidies that experts say will lead to a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program here in America? I'm convinced we're approaching that point since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. The way medical professionals receive payment changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker making moderate income must contribute approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer pays about 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you compare that with what average American pays. I know dozens of businesses that are routinely paying anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, these contributions include pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When you add those costs versus what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It should be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. There would be both an employee and employer contribution. And, like much of federal military, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the program could be managed by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for entrepreneurs like mine. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would make administration significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would make simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complex (and ineffective) process of negotiating with major insurers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would be improved comprehension of coverage among workers – as opposed to the current system which require them to interpret the complexities of existing plans. 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.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in society, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system strengthens economic foundations. It represents superior, easier system for entrepreneurs that employ the majority of the country's workers and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible for workers to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Exist numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. Given rising medical expenses we've seen recently, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning very well. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, even with increased taxation required, would still be a superior and less expensive strategy for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, we need to tone down national pride. America's medical care isn't so great. The US places well below many other countries in healthcare quality globally, according to comprehensive research. Perhaps a bright spot in this current situation is that we take a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.