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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. ACA. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who comprehends all this stuff? Not the typical business owner. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the right medical coverage for companies – or for households – seems like demands a PhD in healthcare.

The Medical System Is More Than Complex, It's Costly

Based on a recent study, typical households pays $27,000 each year for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $17,000 per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning because partisan disputes over subsidies which analysts predict could cause a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I'm convinced we're approaching that point because this can't continue.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – merely extend to cover everyone. The existing system doesn't change. How medical professionals receive payment changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from employees and employers. In similar programs, a worker earning moderate income must contribute about five point three percent to their healthcare. Their employer must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear like a lot? Unless you compare that with what the typical American pays. I can name dozens of businesses who are routinely paying between 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, these contributions include pension plans, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection along with supporting medical services. When you add these expenses versus what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

In the US, a national health premium would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to many federal military, IT, social programs and transportation services, the system should be outsourced by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

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 render administration significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses our yearly costs, instead of enduring the complex (and ineffective) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding about benefits by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complexities of existing plans. And there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for employers since we wouldn't have access to workers' medical records for risk assessment and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as they get. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in society, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It enables for workers to enjoy better health, come to work more often and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Exist a million considerations I'm not addressing? Certainly. Given rising medical expenses we've seen recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, even with increased taxation required, would still be a superior and more affordable approach for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, must tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. The US places significantly behind numerous nations with the best healthcare in the world, according to comprehensive research. Perhaps a positive aspect amid current situation could be that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and agree that big changes need to happen.