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Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical business owner. Neither the average employee. Selecting the right medical coverage for companies – or for households – seems like it requires advanced expertise in medical insurance.

The Medical System Is More Than Complex, It Is Costly

According to recent research, typical households spends $twenty-seven thousand each year on medical coverage (increasing by 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand for each worker by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now the government has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes over subsidies that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Truly Examine 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 suggesting national healthcare. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. The way our healthcare providers get paid changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

The Way National Health Insurance Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would need contributions from both employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee earning moderate income must contribute approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you contrast it to what average US resident spends. I know dozens of clients that are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs for medical benefits. Remember that with comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover pension plans, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection along with funding medical services. When you add those costs compared with what we pay on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Implementation for America

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 pay more than those earning less. There would be both worker and company payments. And, like much of our government's military, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the system could be managed to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program would be a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would make management much easier (a payroll deduction remitted like social security and Medicare taxes, instead of separate payments to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complex (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with major insurers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding about benefits by our employees – contrasted with the current system which require them to interpret the complexities of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for companies as we no longer have access to our employees' health histories for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in our lives, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage to all via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for small businesses which hire the majority of the country's workers and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Exist numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with rising medical expenses we've seen in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. However extending Medicare for all, even with increased taxation required, would still be a superior and less expensive strategy for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. The US places significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality globally, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot amid present circumstances could be that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.