🔗 Share this article

Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

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

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

According to a recent study, typical households pays $27,000 annually for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $17,000 for each worker in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

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

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we seriously consider a national health insurance program here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. How our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from both employees and employers. In similar programs, a worker making moderate income pays approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Unless you compare that with what the typical American pays. I know multiple 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, those payments also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection along with funding medical services. When including those costs versus our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation in the US

In the US, a national health premium would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It ought to be means-based – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to much of our government's military, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced by private contractors rather than a government office.

Benefits for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would make administration significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complicated (and fruitless) process 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 which require them to interpret the complexities of current options. And there would certainly be less liability for employers as we no longer would be privy to workers' health histories for weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as they get. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in society, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, simpler approach for small businesses which hire the majority of American employees and generate half the economic output. It enables for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Exist numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation is not working very well. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. However extending Medicare for all, even with increased taxation required, would still be a better and less expensive approach both for managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank well below many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, according to major studies. Perhaps a bright spot amid current situation is that we take serious examination at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.