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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. ACA. HMO. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. SHOP. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends this complex system? Not the typical business owner. Neither the average worker. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – appears to require demands a PhD in healthcare.

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

According to a recent study, typical households spends $twenty-seven thousand annually on medical coverage (up 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $17,000 per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now federal operations is shut down due to partisan disputes over subsidies that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program in the United States? I'm convinced we're approaching that point because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare system – an established insurance framework – merely extend to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. The way our healthcare providers receive payment would change. Trust me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would need payments from employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee making moderate income must contribute about five point three percent to their healthcare. The company must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you compare it to what average American pays. I can name multiple clients that are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, these contributions include pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with supporting medical services. When you add these expenses versus our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution in the US

For America, a national health premium would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. There would be both an employee and company payments. Similar to much of our government's defense, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the system could be managed by private contractors rather than a government office.

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 superior coverage. It would make management much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than enduring the complex (and ineffective) process of bargaining with major insurers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would exist improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complexities of existing plans. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for employers since we wouldn't have access to workers' health histories for risk assessment and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as they get. But I've learned that government play important functions in our lives, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for small businesses that employ more than half of the country's workers and fund half the economic output. It enables employees to be healthier, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning effectively. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes required, would remain a superior and more affordable approach both for controlling healthcare costs but providing access to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, must 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. Maybe one positive aspect amid current situation is that we take a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes are necessary.