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Deductibles. In-network. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. HRA. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical worker. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – appears to require demands a PhD in medical insurance.

The Medical System Isn't Just Complex, It Is Expensive

According to a recent study, the average family pays $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $17,000 for each worker in 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Now federal operations has ceased functioning because political disagreements over subsidies which analysts predict will lead to premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

When will we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure remains intact. The way medical professionals receive payment would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would need contributions from workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee making average wages must contribute about 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Unless you contrast that with what average US resident spends. I can name dozens of businesses that are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, these contributions include retirement benefits, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to funding medical services. When including those costs versus our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution in the US

For America, a national health premium would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. And, like much of federal military, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the system could be managed by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would place us on a level playing field with our larger competitors who can afford better plans. It would make administration significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler for us to budget our yearly costs, rather than enduring the complicated (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding about benefits among workers – as opposed to the current system which require them to interpret the complexities of current options. Additionally there would certainly be less liability for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' medical records for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that government has a significant role in society, including national security to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs that employ more than half of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It enables employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Exist a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. But with rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes required, would still be a better and more affordable approach both for managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must tone down national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places significantly behind numerous nations with the best healthcare globally, according to major studies. Perhaps a bright spot in this present circumstances is that we take a hard look in the mirror and agree that major reforms need to happen.