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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. ACA. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? It's understandable. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the appropriate medical coverage for companies – or for households – seems like demands a PhD in healthcare.

The Healthcare System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Costly

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

Now the government is shut down due to political disagreements over subsidies which analysts predict will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider a national health insurance program here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to cover everyone. Our infrastructure remains intact. The way medical professionals get paid changes. Trust me, they will adjust.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would need payments from both workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker earning moderate income pays about five point three percent to their healthcare. The company must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you compare that with what the typical US resident spends. I know dozens of clients that are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that with inclusive programs, those payments include retirement benefits, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting medical services. When you add those costs versus our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a framework that is already in place. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to much of our government's defense, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the program could be managed to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Advantages for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors that can pay for superior coverage. It would render administration much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complicated (and ineffective) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding of coverage by our employees – contrasted with the current system which require them to decipher the complexities of current options. Additionally there would certainly be less liability for employers as we no longer have access to workers' health histories for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that government play important functions in society, including national security to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It represents superior, simpler approach for entrepreneurs which hire more than half of American employees and fund half the economic output. It enables for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Certainly. But with rising medical expenses we've seen in recent years, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working very well. I understand that America isn't a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, despite increased taxation required, would still be a superior and less expensive approach both for managing medical expenses but providing access for all citizens.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. We rank well below many other countries in healthcare quality globally, according to major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect amid current situation is that we take a hard look in the mirror and agree that big changes are necessary.