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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. ACA. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

The Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Expensive

According to a recent study, typical households spends $twenty-seven thousand each year for their health insurance (increasing by 6% from last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now federal operations is shut down because political disagreements regarding tax credits that experts say will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Might We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I'm convinced we're approaching that point because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. How our healthcare providers receive payment would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from both workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee earning moderate income must contribute about 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Unless you compare it to what the typical US resident spends. I know dozens of clients who are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that with comprehensive systems, those payments include pension plans, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection along with funding healthcare facilities. When including these expenses versus what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Execution in the US

In the US, a national health premium would increase existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It ought to be means-based – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. There would be both an employee and company payments. And, like much of federal defense, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the program could be managed to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would place us on a level playing field with our larger competitors that can pay for superior coverage. It would render administration significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than enduring the complex (and fruitless) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding about benefits among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to interpret the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for employers as we no longer would be privy to workers' health histories for weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage to all through a national insurance system strengthens economic foundations. It represents superior, easier system for small businesses which hire the majority of American employees and generate half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Exist a million considerations I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. I understand that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a better and less expensive approach for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, must tone down our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. We rank well below numerous nations with the best healthcare globally, according to major studies. Maybe one bright spot amid current situation is that we take serious examination in the mirror and agree that major reforms are necessary.