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Deductibles. In-network. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. HRA. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends this complex system? Not the typical business owner. Neither the average employee. Choosing the right medical coverage for our business – or for households – seems like demands a PhD in medical insurance.

Our Healthcare System Isn't Just Complex, It Is Costly

Based on recent research, the average family pays $27,000 each year for their health insurance (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.

Now federal operations has ceased functioning because partisan disputes over subsidies which analysts predict could cause a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

When will we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program here in America? I have to believe we're approaching that point since this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – merely extend to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How medical professionals get paid would change. Believe me, they'll adapt.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

A national health insurance program would need payments from both employees and employers. In comparable systems, an employee making average wages must contribute about five point three percent toward medical coverage. The company pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you contrast that with what average American pays. I can name multiple clients who are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs for medical benefits. Remember that in comprehensive systems, these contributions include retirement benefits, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting medical services. When you add these expenses versus our current spending on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution in the US

For America, a national health premium would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework already established. It ought to be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and employer contribution. Similar to much of our government's defense, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the system could be managed by private contractors instead of a government office.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program would be a significant advantage for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put small companies in equal competition against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would make management much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable it easier for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complex (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – as opposed to the current system which require them to interpret the complexities of current options. And there would certainly be less liability for companies as we no longer have access to our employees' medical records for risk assessment and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that government has a significant role in society, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone through a national insurance system 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 of our GDP. It enables for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I'm not addressing? Certainly. Given rising medical expenses we've seen recently, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning very well. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes required, would still be a better and more affordable approach both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank well below many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, according to major studies. Maybe one bright spot in this current situation could be that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and agree that big changes are necessary.