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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average employee. Selecting the appropriate medical coverage for our business – or for our families – appears to require it requires a PhD in healthcare.

Our Healthcare System Isn't Just Complicated, It's Costly

According to recent research, typical households pays $27,000 annually on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is projected to surpass $17,000 for each worker in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now the government is shut down because political disagreements regarding subsidies that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

When will we seriously consider a national health insurance program here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. The way our healthcare providers get paid changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from both employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker making moderate income pays about 5.3% toward medical coverage. The company must contribute about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you contrast that with what average US resident spends. I know multiple businesses who are routinely paying between 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that with comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover retirement benefits, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with supporting healthcare facilities. When including these expenses versus our current spending on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and employer contribution. And, like many federal defense, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the system could be managed by private contractors instead of a government office.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage 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 superior coverage. It would make management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, instead of 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 ineffective) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding of coverage among workers – contrasted with existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complexities of current options. And there would definitely exist less liability for companies as we no longer would be privy to workers' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that public institutions has a significant role in our lives, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone through a national insurance system enhances economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs which hire more than half of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It enables employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Exist a million considerations I'm not addressing? Certainly. Given all the healthcare cost increases experienced recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, even with increased taxation required, would remain a better and less expensive strategy for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank well below numerous nations with the best healthcare globally, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot amid current situation is that we take a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.