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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. POS. HDHP. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? You should be. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical business owner. Nor the typical worker. Choosing the appropriate medical coverage for our business – or for households – appears to require it requires a PhD in healthcare.

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

According to recent research, typical households pays $27,000 annually on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $17,000 per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Now the government has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes regarding subsidies that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Might We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage here in America? I have to believe we're getting closer since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to include all citizens. The existing system doesn't change. How our healthcare providers get paid would change. Believe me, they'll adapt.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would require contributions from workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee earning moderate income pays approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Unless you compare it to what average US resident spends. I can name multiple clients that are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that in comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with funding medical services. When including those costs compared with our current spending on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Implementation for America

For America, a national health premium would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework already established. It ought to be means-based – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and employer contribution. And, like much of federal military, IT, social programs and infrastructure, the program should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Benefits for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for small businesses such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford better plans. It would make administration much easier (a payroll deduction remitted like retirement and Medicare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, rather than going through the complex (and fruitless) process of negotiating with major insurers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits by our employees – contrasted with existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complications of current options. And there would definitely exist less liability for companies as we no longer have access to our employees' medical records for weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that government play important functions in our lives, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage to all via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses which hire more than half of American employees and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation is not working very well. I understand that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes required, would remain a superior and more affordable approach both for managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, must tone down our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank well below numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot amid present circumstances could be that we take a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes are necessary.