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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average employee. Selecting the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – appears to require demands advanced expertise in healthcare.

Our Medical System Isn't Just Complex, It Is Costly

According to recent research, typical households pays $27,000 annually for their health insurance (increasing by 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand for each worker in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning due to political disagreements regarding tax credits 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 genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer since this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare system – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Trust me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require contributions from workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee earning average wages must contribute about 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem like a lot? Unless you compare it to what average US resident spends. I know multiple clients that are routinely paying between 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. And keep in mind that in inclusive programs, those payments include pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with supporting healthcare facilities. When including these expenses versus our current spending for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

In the US, a national health premium would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It ought to be means-based – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. There would be both an employee and company payments. Similar to much of our government's defense, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the program should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would put small companies in equal competition against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would render administration significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of going through the complicated (and fruitless) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding about benefits among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for employers since we wouldn't have access to our employees' medical records for purposes of risk assessment and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that public institutions has a significant role in our lives, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses which hire the majority of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to enjoy better health, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Exist numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning effectively. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, despite increased taxation that would be incurred, would remain a superior and more affordable strategy both for managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. The US places well below many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, based on comprehensive research. Perhaps a positive aspect amid present circumstances is that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.