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Baffled? You should be. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – seems like demands a PhD in medical insurance.

The Healthcare System Isn't Just Complicated, It Is Expensive

Based on recent research, the average family pays $27,000 annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is projected to surpass $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Currently federal operations has ceased functioning due to political disagreements over subsidies that experts say will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Might We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

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

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way medical professionals receive payment would change. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Could Function

A national health insurance program would need payments from employees and employers. In comparable systems, an employee making moderate income must contribute about five point three percent to their healthcare. The company pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you compare it to what the typical American pays. I know multiple clients that are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that in comprehensive systems, those payments also cover pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with funding healthcare facilities. When including those costs versus what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

In the US, a national health premium would increase 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. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. And, like many federal defense, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the system could be managed by private contractors rather than a government office.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program would be a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would make management much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would make it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, rather than going through the complicated (and ineffective) process of bargaining with major insurers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits by our employees – as opposed to the current system where they have to interpret the complications of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to our employees' medical records for weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage to all through a national insurance system strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses that employ more than half of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It enables employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

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 clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning effectively. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a superior and more affordable approach for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to tone down national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare globally, based on major studies. Maybe one positive aspect amid current situation is that we take serious examination at ourselves and agree that big changes are necessary.