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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. ACA. HMO. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical employee. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in medical insurance.

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

Based on recent research, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand each year for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is expected to surpass $17,000 per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning because political disagreements regarding tax credits that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

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

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. How medical professionals receive payment changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

How Universal Coverage Could Function

A national health insurance program would need contributions from both employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee earning average wages pays about 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer must contribute about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you contrast it to what average US resident spends. I can name dozens of businesses that are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs for medical benefits. Remember that with comprehensive systems, those payments also cover pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to supporting medical services. When you add those costs versus our current spending on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Execution for America

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a system that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and company payments. And, like many federal defense, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the program could be managed to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would make administration significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and Medicare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier for us to budget annual expenditures, rather than going through the complicated (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with major insurers required annually each year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding of coverage by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to interpret the complexities of current options. And there would certainly be reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't have access to our employees' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in society, including national security to supporting essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone through a national insurance system enhances economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for small businesses that employ the majority of the country's workers and fund half the economic output. It enables employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Of course there are. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning very well. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending Medicare for all, despite increased taxation required, would remain a better and less expensive approach both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality globally, according to major studies. Maybe one bright spot in this current situation could be that we take serious examination in the mirror and agree that big changes are necessary.