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Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. Point of Service. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends this complex system? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical employee. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – seems like demands a PhD in medical insurance.

Our Healthcare System Is More Than Complex, It Is Costly

According to a recent study, typical households spends $twenty-seven thousand each year for their health insurance (increasing by 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to surpass $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Now the government is shut down due to political disagreements 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 a national health insurance program here in America? I'm convinced we're approaching that point since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system doesn't change. How medical professionals receive payment would change. Believe me, they will adjust.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would require payments from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker making moderate income must contribute approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. The company pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Unless you contrast that with what average American pays. I can name multiple businesses that are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. Remember that in inclusive programs, those payments include retirement benefits, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with supporting medical services. When you add these expenses versus our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Execution for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework that is already in place. It ought to be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. There would be both worker and employer contribution. Similar to much of federal defense, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the program could be managed by private contractors instead of a government office.

Advantages for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would make administration much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than separate payments to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would enable simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, rather than going through the complex (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually every year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding about benefits among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complications of existing plans. And there would definitely exist less liability for employers since we wouldn't would be privy to our employees' health histories for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in society, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for small businesses which hire the majority of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, come to work more often and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Exist numerous factors I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, even with increased taxation required, would still be a superior and more affordable strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank well below many other countries in healthcare quality globally, according to comprehensive research. Perhaps a positive aspect amid current situation could be that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and agree that big changes are necessary.