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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. HMO. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who comprehends this complex system? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average worker. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – appears to require demands advanced expertise in medical insurance.

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

According to a recent study, the average family pays $twenty-seven thousand each year on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Now the government has ceased functioning because political disagreements regarding tax credits that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

When will we seriously consider a national health insurance program here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer because this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. How medical professionals get paid changes. Trust me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would require payments from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker earning average wages must contribute approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. The company pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear like a lot? Unless you compare that with what average US resident spends. I know multiple clients that are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that with comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and job loss protection along with funding healthcare facilities. When you add these expenses versus our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

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 contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to much of our government's defense, IT, social programs and infrastructure, the system could be managed by private contractors rather than a government office.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford better plans. It would make management much easier (a payroll deduction remitted like retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complicated (and fruitless) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding about benefits by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complications of existing plans. And there would definitely exist less liability for companies as we no longer have access to workers' medical records for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in society, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses which hire more than half of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Certainly. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's evident that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning effectively. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, even with increased taxation that would be incurred, would remain a better and less expensive approach for not only controlling healthcare costs but providing access for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect amid current situation could be that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and agree that big changes are necessary.