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Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. HDHP. HSA. FSA. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? It's understandable. Who comprehends this complex system? Not the typical business owner. Neither the average worker. Selecting the appropriate medical coverage for our business – or for households – seems like demands advanced expertise in medical insurance.

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

According to recent research, typical households spends $27,000 annually for their health insurance (increasing by 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Currently the government is shut down due to political disagreements over tax credits that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

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

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers receive payment would change. Believe me, they'll adapt.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would require payments from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee making average wages must contribute approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer pays about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you compare that with what average American pays. I can name dozens of businesses who are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that in comprehensive systems, those payments also cover pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection along with funding medical services. When you add these expenses compared with our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

For America, a national health premium would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It ought to be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and company payments. Similar to much of federal defense, technology, social programs and transportation services, the system could be managed by private contractors instead of a government office.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would put small companies in equal competition against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would render management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, instead of separate payments to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier for us to budget annual expenditures, rather than going through the complicated (and ineffective) 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 by our employees – contrasted with existing arrangements which require them to interpret the complexities of existing plans. Additionally there would certainly be reduced responsibility for companies as we no longer would be privy to our employees' health histories for risk assessment and different options.

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 funding needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs which hire more than half of the country's workers and fund half the economic output. It enables for workers to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Exist a million considerations I'm not addressing? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses experienced in recent years, it's evident that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning effectively. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, even with increased taxation required, would still be a superior and more affordable strategy for not only managing medical expenses but providing access for all citizens.

Time for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. The US places significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality globally, based on major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect in this current situation could be that we undertake serious examination in the mirror and agree that big changes are necessary.