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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Not the typical business owner. Neither the average worker. Selecting the appropriate medical coverage for our business – or for our families – seems like demands a PhD in medical insurance.

The Healthcare System Is More Than Complex, It's Expensive

According to a recent study, typical households pays $27,000 each year for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to surpass $17,000 for each worker by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently federal operations has ceased functioning because partisan disputes regarding tax credits which analysts predict could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I'm convinced we're approaching that point because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. The way medical professionals get paid changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker earning moderate income pays approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. The company pays about 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Unless you compare that with what the typical US resident spends. I know dozens of clients who are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. Remember that in comprehensive systems, these contributions include retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection along with funding medical services. When you add these expenses versus what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It should be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. There would be both worker and company payments. And, like many our government's defense, technology, social programs and infrastructure, the system could be managed by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Benefits for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program would be a significant advantage for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would make management much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complex (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with major insurers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding about benefits among workers – as opposed to the current system which require them to interpret the complexities of existing plans. And there would definitely exist less liability for employers as we no longer would be privy to our employees' health histories for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in society, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, simpler approach for small businesses that employ the majority of the country's workers and generate half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning effectively. I understand that America isn't a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, even with increased taxation that would be incurred, would remain a better and less expensive strategy both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank significantly behind numerous nations with the best healthcare globally, based on major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect amid present circumstances is that we take serious examination at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes are necessary.