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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. HDHP. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

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

According to a recent study, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $17,000 per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Now federal operations is shut down because partisan disputes over tax credits which analysts predict could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer because this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare system – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure remains intact. How our healthcare providers receive payment would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require contributions from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker earning moderate income pays approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. The company pays about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Unless you contrast it to what the typical American pays. I can name multiple businesses who are routinely paying between 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. And keep in mind that in inclusive programs, those payments include pension plans, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting medical services. When you add these expenses versus our current spending for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. There would be both an employee and employer contribution. And, like many federal military, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the system could be managed to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Benefits for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would place us on a level playing field with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would render management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than going through the complex (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with the big insurance providers required annually every year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding of coverage among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to our employees' medical records for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in society, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system enhances economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for small businesses which hire 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

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. I understand that America isn't a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. However extending Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes required, would remain a superior and less expensive strategy both for controlling healthcare costs but providing access for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, according to major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect amid current situation could be that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and agree that major reforms need to happen.