🔗 Share this article

Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average employee. Selecting the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – appears to require demands a PhD in healthcare.

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

Based on a recent study, the average family spends $27,000 each year for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand for each worker in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now federal operations is shut down due to political disagreements over tax credits which analysts predict will lead to a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

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

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – merely extend to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. How our healthcare providers get paid would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would need contributions from employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee earning average wages must contribute approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. The company must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you compare that with what average American pays. I know dozens of businesses that are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that with inclusive programs, these contributions also cover retirement benefits, sick pay, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to supporting healthcare facilities. When you add those costs compared with our current spending on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Implementation for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a framework that is already in place. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and employer contribution. And, like many our government's military, technology, social programs and infrastructure, the system could be managed to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford better plans. It would make management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, rather than enduring the complex (and ineffective) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding about benefits by our employees – as opposed to the current system where they have to decipher the complications of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't have access to workers' medical records for purposes of weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as possible. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in society, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare strengthens 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 makes it possible for workers to enjoy better health, come to work more often and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Exist a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. Given rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning effectively. I understand that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a superior and less expensive strategy both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, based on major studies. Maybe one positive aspect amid present circumstances is that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and agree that big changes need to happen.