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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. HMO. PPO. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average worker. Choosing the appropriate medical coverage for companies – or for households – seems like demands advanced expertise in healthcare.

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

According to recent research, typical households pays $27,000 annually on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes regarding tax credits that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm proposing for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. The existing system doesn't change. The way medical professionals receive payment changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

A national health insurance program would require payments from workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee earning moderate income must contribute approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Unless you contrast it to what average US resident spends. I know multiple clients who are routinely paying between 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, those payments include pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with supporting healthcare facilities. When you add those costs compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution in the US

For America, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. There would be both worker and employer contribution. And, like much of federal military, IT, social programs and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced by private contractors instead of a government office.

Advantages for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put us on a level playing field with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would render management much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to benefit firms and insurance providers).

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 improved comprehension of coverage among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complexities of existing plans. And there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for employers since we wouldn't would be privy to our employees' medical records for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that government has a significant role in society, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses which hire the majority of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It enables employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning very well. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, despite increased taxation that would be incurred, would remain a better and less expensive strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

As Americans, must tone down national pride. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. The US places well below many other countries in healthcare quality globally, based on major studies. Perhaps a bright spot in this current situation could be that we undertake serious examination in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.