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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. SHOP. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average employee. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – appears to require demands advanced expertise in healthcare.

The Healthcare System Is More Than Complicated, It's Expensive

According to a recent study, the average family spends $twenty-seven thousand each year for their health insurance (increasing by 6% compared to last year). Typical company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $17,000 per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Currently the government is shut down because partisan disputes over tax credits that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

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

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. The existing system remains intact. How our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Trust me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would need payments from both workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee making moderate income must contribute approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. The company must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you compare it to what average US resident spends. I can name dozens of clients who are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that with comprehensive systems, these contributions include pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with funding medical services. When including these expenses versus our current spending on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework already established. It ought to be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. There would be both an employee and company payments. Similar to much of our government's defense, technology, social programs and infrastructure, the system could be managed by private contractors rather than a government office.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for small businesses such as my company. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for better plans. It would render administration much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier for us to budget our yearly costs, rather than enduring the complex (and fruitless) process of negotiating with major insurers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding of coverage by our employees – as opposed to the current system where they have to decipher the complications of current options. And there would definitely exist less liability for employers as we no longer would be privy to workers' health histories for risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. However I recognize that government play important functions in society, including national security to supporting essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses that employ the majority of American employees and generate half the economic output. It makes it possible for workers to enjoy better health, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, even with increased taxation required, would remain a superior and less expensive approach both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, must tone down national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places well below numerous nations with the best healthcare in the world, based on major studies. Perhaps a bright spot in this current situation is that we take a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.