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Confused? You should be. Who comprehends this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in medical insurance.

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

Based on a recent study, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Now the government is shut down because political disagreements over tax credits that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program here in America? I have to believe we're approaching that point because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How medical professionals receive payment would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

A national health insurance program would require contributions from both employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker earning average wages must contribute approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. The company pays about 13.75%.

Does this appear like a lot? Not if you contrast it to what average American pays. I can name dozens of clients who are routinely paying anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, those payments also cover pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with supporting medical services. When you add those costs versus what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

In the US, a national health premium would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. This includes both worker and employer contribution. And, like much of federal defense, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the program should be outsourced by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit 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 administration significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would enable it easier for us to budget our yearly costs, rather than going through the complicated (and ineffective) theater of negotiating with major insurers required annually every year. Due to simplification, there would be improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – contrasted with the current system which require them to interpret the complications of current options. And there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for employers as we no longer have access to workers' health histories for purposes of risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as they get. However I recognize that public institutions has a significant role in our lives, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs that employ the majority of American employees and generate half the economic output. It enables employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working very well. I understand that America isn't a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending Medicare for all, even with increased taxation that would be incurred, would remain a better and less expensive approach both for managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to tone down national pride. America's medical care isn't so great. The US places significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality globally, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot amid present circumstances could be that we undertake serious examination in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes are necessary.