🔗 Share this article

Deductibles. In-network. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? It's understandable. Who comprehends this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – appears to require demands advanced expertise in medical insurance.

The Medical System Is More Than Complex, It Is Expensive

According to recent research, typical households spends $27,000 annually on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $17,000 for each worker in 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Now federal operations has ceased functioning due to political disagreements regarding subsidies that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I'm convinced we're approaching that point because this can't continue.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare system – an established insurance framework – simply expand to include all citizens. The existing system remains intact. How medical professionals get paid would change. Trust me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee making average wages pays about 5.3% to their healthcare. The company must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you compare that with what the typical American pays. I can name multiple clients who are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that with inclusive programs, those payments include retirement benefits, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with funding medical services. When including these expenses compared with our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

In the US, a national health premium would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and employer contribution. Similar to much of federal defense, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the program should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program would be a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would make management much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler to plan expenses our yearly costs, rather than going through the complicated (and ineffective) process of bargaining with major insurers required annually every year. Because it's simplified, there would be improved comprehension of coverage among workers – as opposed to the current system which require them to decipher the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for companies as we no longer would be privy to workers' medical records for purposes of risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that government play important functions in society, from providing defense to funding needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs which hire more than half of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Exist a million considerations I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses we've seen recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning effectively. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where big changes are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a superior and more affordable approach both for managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. The US places well below many other countries in healthcare quality globally, based on major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect amid present circumstances could be that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and agree that major reforms need to happen.