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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. HDHP. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical employee. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – seems like it requires a PhD in healthcare.

Our Medical System Is More Than Complex, It's Expensive

According to a recent study, typical households spends $27,000 annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% compared to last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand for each worker in 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Now federal operations is shut down due to political disagreements over tax credits which analysts predict will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage here in America? I have to believe we're approaching that point because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. The existing system doesn't change. How our healthcare providers receive payment would change. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require contributions from both employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker earning moderate income must contribute approximately five point three percent to their healthcare. Their employer must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Unless you contrast that with what average US resident spends. I know multiple clients that are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that in inclusive programs, these contributions include retirement benefits, sick pay, parental benefits and job loss protection along with funding healthcare facilities. When you add those costs compared with what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Execution in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system that is already in place. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and employer contribution. Similar to many 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

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would render management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and Medicare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would make it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complicated (and fruitless) process of negotiating with major insurers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – contrasted with existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complexities of existing plans. And there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to our employees' health histories for risk assessment and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that government play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, simpler approach for entrepreneurs which hire 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 increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Exist numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning very well. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms are easier to implement. However extending Medicare for all, despite increased taxation that would be incurred, would remain a better and more affordable approach for not only managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, must tone down national pride. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. The US places significantly behind numerous nations with the best healthcare in the world, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect amid present circumstances is that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and agree that major reforms need to happen.