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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. HSA. FSA. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Choosing the right medical coverage for companies – or for our families – appears to require demands advanced expertise in medical insurance.

The Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Expensive

Based on recent research, typical households pays $27,000 each year on medical coverage (increasing by 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $17,000 per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Currently the government is shut down due to partisan disputes regarding tax credits that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

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

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare system – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. The way medical professionals get paid would change. Trust me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Could Function

A national health insurance program would require payments from employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee earning moderate income must contribute approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. The company pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear like a lot? Not if you contrast it to what the typical American pays. I know multiple businesses that are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages for medical benefits. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover pension plans, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with supporting medical services. When you add these expenses versus our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution in the US

For America, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a framework already established. It ought to be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. There would be both worker and company payments. Similar to many federal defense, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the system could be managed to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would put us on a level playing field with our larger competitors that can pay for better plans. It would render management much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of going through the complex (and fruitless) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding about benefits by our employees – contrasted with the current system which require them to interpret the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would certainly be reduced responsibility for employers since we wouldn't have access to workers' medical records for purposes of risk assessment and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. However I recognize that government play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage to all via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for small businesses which hire more than half of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Exist a million considerations I haven't covered? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses we've seen recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. I understand that America isn't a compact European nation where big changes are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a better and less expensive strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs but providing access to everyone.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank well below many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, based on major studies. Maybe one bright spot in this present circumstances could be that we undertake serious examination in the mirror and agree that big changes need to happen.