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Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? It's understandable. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – seems like demands advanced expertise in healthcare.

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

According to recent research, the average family spends $27,000 annually for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $17,000 for each worker in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now the government is shut down due to political disagreements regarding tax credits that experts say will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

When will we seriously consider a national health insurance program here in America? I'm convinced we're approaching that point because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare system – an established insurance framework – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. The way medical professionals get paid would change. Trust me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require contributions from both workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker earning average wages pays approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. The company pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem like a lot? Unless you compare it to what average US resident spends. I know multiple businesses who are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that in inclusive programs, these contributions also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, parental benefits and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting medical services. When including these expenses compared with our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Execution in the US

In the US, a national health premium would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a system that is already in place. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. There would be both worker and employer contribution. And, like much of federal defense, IT, social programs and infrastructure, the program could be managed by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would put small companies in equal competition against big corporations that can pay for better plans. It would render administration much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than enduring the complicated (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would be improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – as opposed to the current system which require them to decipher the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for companies as we no longer have access to workers' medical records for risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as possible. But I've learned that government play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage to all through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, easier system for small businesses which hire more than half of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Exist numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, even with increased taxation that would be incurred, would still be a better and less expensive strategy for not only managing medical expenses but providing access for all citizens.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. We rank well below many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, according to major studies. Maybe one positive aspect in this present circumstances is that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes are necessary.