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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the right medical coverage for our business – or for our families – seems like it requires a PhD in healthcare.

Our Healthcare System Is More Than Complex, It Is Expensive

According to recent research, the average family pays $27,000 annually on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $17,000 for each worker by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now the government has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes regarding subsidies which analysts predict will lead to a doubling of premiums 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 approaching that point because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. The way medical professionals receive payment changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How Universal Coverage Could Function

A national health insurance program would need contributions from employees and employers. In comparable systems, an employee making average wages pays about five point three percent toward medical coverage. The company pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Unless you compare it to what the typical American pays. I can name dozens of clients that are routinely paying anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that with comprehensive systems, those payments include retirement benefits, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with supporting medical services. When including those costs versus our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution in the US

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It ought to be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. There would be both worker and company payments. And, like many federal military, IT, social programs and infrastructure, the program should be outsourced by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would make management much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, rather than going through the complicated (and ineffective) process of negotiating with major insurers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would be improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – contrasted with existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complications of current options. And there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for companies as we no longer would be privy to our employees' medical records for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to enjoy better health, have better attendance and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning effectively. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes required, would still be a superior and less expensive approach both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank significantly behind numerous nations with the best healthcare globally, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect amid current situation is that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.