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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. Point of Service. HDHP. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. COBRA. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends this complex system? Not the typical business owner. Neither the average worker. Selecting the right medical coverage for companies – or for our families – seems like it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

Our Healthcare System Isn't Just Complex, It's Expensive

According to a recent study, the average family pays $27,000 annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% compared to last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $17,000 per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Currently federal operations is shut down due to political disagreements regarding subsidies that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program in the United States? I have to believe we're approaching that point because this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker earning moderate income must contribute approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. The company pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you compare that with what the typical American pays. I can name multiple businesses who are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that with comprehensive systems, those payments include pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and job loss protection along with funding healthcare facilities. When you add these expenses versus what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

In the US, a national health premium would increase 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. This includes both worker and company payments. And, like many our government's defense, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the system could be managed to third-party administrators rather than a government office.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for small businesses such as my company. It would put us on a level playing field with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would make management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than enduring the complex (and ineffective) theater of negotiating with major insurers required annually every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to interpret the complications of current options. Additionally there would certainly be less liability for companies as we no longer have access to workers' medical records for purposes of weighing risks and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. But I've learned that government play important functions in society, including national security to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for small businesses that employ more than half of the country's workers and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Certainly. But with rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, despite increased taxation that would be incurred, would remain a better and more affordable strategy both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. The US places well below many other countries with the best healthcare globally, based on major studies. Perhaps a bright spot in this present circumstances is that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and agree that big changes are necessary.