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Deductibles. In-network. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

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

Our Healthcare System Isn't Just Complex, It Is Expensive

Based on recent research, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Now the government is shut down because political disagreements regarding tax credits which analysts predict will lead to premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Would Work

A national health insurance program would need contributions from both employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee making average wages pays about five point three percent to their healthcare. Their employer must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you contrast that with what the typical American pays. I can name dozens of businesses who are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages for medical benefits. And keep in mind that in inclusive programs, these contributions include pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with supporting healthcare facilities. When you add these expenses compared with what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. There would be both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to much of our government's defense, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

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 against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would render administration significantly simpler (a payroll deduction remitted like retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier for us to budget our yearly costs, rather than enduring the complicated (and ineffective) theater of negotiating with major insurers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding of coverage by our employees – as opposed to the current system where they have to decipher the complexities of existing plans. And there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for employers since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' health histories for purposes of risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that government play important functions in society, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It represents superior, simpler approach for small businesses that employ more than half of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It enables for workers to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I'm not addressing? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases experienced recently, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working very well. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a better and less expensive approach for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. The US places significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality globally, based on major studies. Maybe one bright spot amid present circumstances is that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and agree that big changes are necessary.