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Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. HRA. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – appears to require demands advanced expertise in medical insurance.

The Medical System Isn't Just Complicated, It Is Costly

According to a recent study, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand each year for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is projected to surpass $17,000 per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Currently 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 Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I have to believe we're getting closer since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way medical professionals get paid changes. Trust me, they will adjust.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need contributions from both workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker making average wages must contribute approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer pays about 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you compare that with what the typical US resident spends. I can name multiple businesses that are routinely paying anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that with inclusive programs, these contributions include pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with funding healthcare facilities. When you add those costs versus what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Implementation in the US

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. And, like many federal defense, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the system could be managed to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Benefits for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program 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 better plans. It would make administration much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than enduring the complex (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with major insurers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complications of current options. Additionally there would certainly be reduced responsibility for companies as we no longer would be privy to workers' medical records for purposes of weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in society, from providing defense to funding needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Exist 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 very well. And I realize that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending Medicare for all, despite the additional taxes required, would still be a superior and more affordable strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank significantly behind numerous nations with the best healthcare globally, according to major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect amid present circumstances is that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and agree that major reforms are necessary.