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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. ACA. HMO. PPO. EPO. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical business owner. Nor the typical employee. Choosing the appropriate medical coverage for companies – or for households – seems like demands a PhD in medical insurance.

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

According to recent research, the average family spends $twenty-seven thousand each year on medical coverage (increasing by 6% compared to last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $17,000 for each worker by 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Currently federal operations has ceased functioning due to political disagreements over subsidies which analysts predict will lead to a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program here in America? I have to believe we're approaching that point because this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. The existing system doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers get paid would change. Trust me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need contributions from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker earning moderate income pays approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem like a lot? Unless you contrast that with what average US resident spends. I can name dozens of clients who are routinely paying between 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. Remember that in comprehensive systems, those payments also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, parental benefits and unemployment benefits in addition to funding medical services. When including those costs versus our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Execution for America

For America, a national health premium would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. There would be both worker and company payments. Similar to many federal defense, IT, social programs and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would place small companies in equal competition against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would make management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complicated (and ineffective) theater of negotiating with major insurers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would be improved comprehension about benefits by our employees – contrasted with existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complexities of existing plans. And there would certainly be less liability for companies since we wouldn't have access to workers' medical records for purposes of weighing risks and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in society, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of the country's workers and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Certainly. Given rising medical expenses we've seen in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, even with increased taxation that would be incurred, would still be a better and more affordable approach both for controlling healthcare costs but providing access for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to tone down national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank well below many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, based on major studies. Maybe one bright spot in this present circumstances could be that we take serious examination in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.