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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. HRA. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Choosing the appropriate medical coverage for companies – or for our families – seems like demands a PhD in healthcare.

The Healthcare System Isn't Just Complex, It's Expensive

Based on recent research, the average family pays $twenty-seven thousand annually on medical coverage (up 6% compared to last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $17,000 per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Now federal operations is shut down because partisan disputes regarding subsidies which analysts predict could cause a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we seriously consider a national health insurance program in the United States? I'm convinced we're approaching that point since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare system – an established insurance framework – merely extend to cover everyone. Our infrastructure remains intact. How medical professionals receive payment would change. Trust me, they will adjust.

How Universal Coverage Could Function

A national health insurance program would need payments from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker making average wages pays about five point three percent to their healthcare. Their employer pays about 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you contrast that with what average American pays. I can name dozens of clients that are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, those payments include pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with funding medical services. When including those costs versus what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework already established. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. This includes both worker and employer contribution. Similar to much of our government's military, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than a government office.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for small businesses such as my company. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford better plans. It would make management much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler for us to budget our yearly costs, rather than going through the complicated (and fruitless) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding about benefits among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complexities of current options. And there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't have access 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 funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage to all via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs that employ more than half of American employees and generate half the economic output. It enables employees to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Exist numerous factors I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a better and less expensive approach for not only managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't so great. The US places significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality globally, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot in this present circumstances is that we undertake serious examination in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.