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Confused? It's understandable. Who comprehends this complex system? Not the typical business owner. Neither the average worker. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – seems like it requires advanced expertise in medical insurance.

Our Healthcare System Is More Than Complex, It's Costly

Based on recent research, typical households spends $27,000 annually for their health insurance (increasing by 6% compared to last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Now the government is shut down because partisan disputes regarding tax credits that experts say will lead to a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program in the United States? I'm convinced we're getting closer since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure remains intact. The way medical professionals get paid changes. Trust me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Could Function

A national health insurance program would need contributions from workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker making moderate income must contribute approximately five point three percent to their healthcare. Their employer must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you compare it to what the typical US resident spends. I know dozens of clients that are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that with inclusive programs, those payments also cover pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When including those costs compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Implementation for America

In the US, a national health premium would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. There would be both worker and company payments. And, like much of our government's defense, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the program could be managed to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would place small companies in equal competition against big corporations that can pay for better plans. It would render management much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would make it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than going through the complicated (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding of coverage among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complications of current options. And there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for employers since we wouldn't have access to our employees' medical records for purposes of risk assessment and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. However I recognize that public institutions has a significant role in our lives, from providing defense to funding needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage to all via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It represents superior, simpler approach for entrepreneurs that employ the majority of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It enables for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Exist numerous factors I'm not addressing? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses we've seen in recent years, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, despite increased taxation required, would still be a better and more affordable approach both for managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank well below many other countries with the best healthcare globally, based on major studies. Maybe one bright spot in this current situation could be that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and agree that major reforms need to happen.