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Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical worker. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – seems like it requires a PhD in healthcare.

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

According to a recent study, typical households spends $twenty-seven thousand each year for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $17,000 for each worker in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently the government is shut down because partisan disputes over tax credits that experts say will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we seriously consider a national health insurance program in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way medical professionals receive payment changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee earning average wages pays approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you compare it to what the typical American pays. I know dozens of businesses who are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that in comprehensive systems, these contributions include retirement benefits, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits 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.

Execution for America

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a framework already established. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. There would be both an employee and company payments. And, like much of federal defense, technology, social programs and infrastructure, the system could be managed to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would make administration significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complex (and ineffective) process of bargaining 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 where they have to decipher the complications of current options. Additionally there would certainly be reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to our employees' medical records for purposes of weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that government has a significant role in our lives, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system enhances economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs that employ the majority of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It enables employees to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced recently, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. I understand that America isn't a compact European nation where big changes are easier to implement. However extending Medicare for all, despite the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a superior and less expensive approach for not only controlling healthcare costs but providing access to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. The US places significantly behind numerous nations with the best healthcare globally, according to major studies. Maybe one bright spot amid present circumstances is that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.