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Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. HDHP. HSA. FSA. HRA. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average worker. Selecting the appropriate medical coverage for companies – or for households – seems like demands a PhD in healthcare.

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

According to recent research, typical households spends $27,000 annually for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $seventeen thousand for each worker in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now the government is shut down due to partisan disputes over tax credits which analysts predict will lead to a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Trust me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would need payments from employees and employers. In comparable systems, an employee earning average wages must contribute approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. The company pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear like a lot? Not if you contrast it to what the typical US resident spends. I know multiple clients that are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. And keep in mind that in inclusive programs, these contributions also cover pension plans, illness coverage, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with supporting medical services. When including those costs versus what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

For America, a national health premium would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework already established. It ought to be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and employer contribution. And, like many our government's defense, technology, social programs and transportation services, the system could be managed by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Benefits for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would render management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and Medicare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of going through the complicated (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with major insurers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding of coverage by our employees – as opposed to the current system where they have to interpret the complications of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for employers since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' medical records for purposes of risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in society, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone through a national insurance system enhances economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire more than half of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees 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 in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning effectively. And I realize that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes required, would still be a superior and more affordable approach for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

As Americans, must tone down national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, according to major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect amid present circumstances is that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.