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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – seems like demands a PhD in healthcare.

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

According to a recent study, typical households spends $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (increasing by 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Now the government is shut down due to partisan disputes over subsidies which analysts predict could cause premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program here in America? I have to believe we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers get paid would change. Trust me, they will adjust.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would need contributions from workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker making average wages must contribute about 5.3% toward medical coverage. The company pays about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you contrast that with what the typical US resident spends. I know multiple clients who are routinely paying between eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs for medical benefits. And keep in mind that with inclusive programs, these contributions also cover pension plans, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection along with funding medical services. When you add those costs compared with our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. It ought to be means-based – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and company payments. Similar to many federal defense, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the program should be outsourced by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for small businesses such as my company. It would put us on a level playing field with our larger competitors that can pay for superior coverage. It would render management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, instead of enduring the complicated (and fruitless) process of negotiating with major insurers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding of coverage by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complexities of existing plans. Additionally there would certainly be reduced responsibility for employers as we no longer have access to our employees' medical records for purposes of risk assessment and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that public institutions has a significant role in society, including national security to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs that employ the majority of the country's workers and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses we've seen in recent years, it's evident that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes required, would still be a superior and less expensive strategy both for managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality globally, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect amid current situation is that we take serious examination at ourselves and agree that big changes are necessary.