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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. ACA. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Choosing the right medical coverage for our business – or for households – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

Our Healthcare System Isn't Just Complex, It Is Expensive

According to recent research, the average family pays $27,000 annually for their health insurance (increasing by 6% from last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is expected to surpass $17,000 for each worker in 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Now the government has ceased functioning because partisan disputes over subsidies which analysts predict will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program in the United States? I have to believe we're approaching that point since this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare system – an established insurance framework – merely extend to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How medical professionals get paid would change. Believe me, they will adjust.

How Universal Coverage Could Function

A national health insurance program would require payments from both workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee making moderate income must contribute about five point three percent to their healthcare. Their employer pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear like a lot? Not if you compare it to what average American pays. I know dozens of clients who are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that in inclusive programs, these contributions include pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with funding healthcare facilities. When you add those costs versus what we pay on retirement programs, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Execution for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. There would be both an employee and company payments. Similar to many federal military, IT, social programs and transportation services, the program should be outsourced by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would place us on a level playing field with our larger competitors who can afford better plans. It would render management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and Medicare taxes, instead of individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of going through the complex (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits by our employees – contrasted with existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complexities of current options. And there would certainly be reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't have access to our employees' health histories for risk assessment and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. But I've learned that government has a significant role in our lives, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone through a national insurance system enhances economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for small businesses which hire the majority of American employees and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible for workers to enjoy better health, have better attendance and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Exist a million considerations I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with rising medical expenses we've seen recently, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning effectively. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a better and more affordable approach both for managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, we need to reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank well below many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect in this present circumstances could be that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes are necessary.