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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. HDHP. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the appropriate medical coverage for companies – or for our families – seems like it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

The Medical System Isn't Just Complicated, It's Expensive

Based on a recent study, typical households spends $27,000 annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% compared to last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is expected to surpass $17,000 per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Currently the government is shut down because partisan disputes over subsidies which analysts predict could cause premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider a national health insurance program here in America? I'm convinced we're approaching that point since this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare system – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. How medical professionals receive payment changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would need contributions from both employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee making moderate income pays approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. The company pays about 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you contrast it to what the typical American pays. I can name multiple businesses who are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in inclusive programs, those payments also cover pension plans, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection along with supporting medical services. When you add those costs compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

For America, a national health premium would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. There would be both worker and employer contribution. Similar to much of federal military, IT, social programs and transportation services, the program 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 such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would render management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complicated (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding about benefits by our employees – contrasted with existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complications of current options. And there would definitely exist less liability for companies as we no longer have access to workers' medical records for weighing risks and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that public institutions has a significant role in society, including national security to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage to all via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses that employ the majority of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Exist numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses we've seen in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning effectively. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, even with increased taxation that would be incurred, would still be a better and less expensive approach both for managing medical expenses but providing access for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, must tone down our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. The US places significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot amid present circumstances could be that we take serious examination at ourselves and agree that big changes are necessary.