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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. ACA. HMO. PPO. EPO. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average employee. Choosing the right medical coverage for companies – or for households – appears to require demands a PhD in healthcare.

Our Medical System Isn't Just Complicated, It's Costly

According to recent research, the average family pays $27,000 each year on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Currently federal operations has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes regarding subsidies that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Might We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

When will we seriously consider a national health insurance program in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers get paid changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee earning average wages must contribute about 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you compare that with what average American pays. I can name multiple clients who are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that with comprehensive systems, these contributions include retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to supporting healthcare facilities. When you add these expenses compared with what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Execution for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. This includes both worker and company payments. Similar to many our government's military, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the program should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would place small companies in equal competition against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would make management much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than enduring the complicated (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding of coverage among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to interpret the complications of current options. And there would certainly be less liability for companies as we no longer would be privy to our employees' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that public institutions has a significant role in society, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It represents superior, simpler approach for entrepreneurs which hire more than half of American employees and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, despite increased taxation required, would remain a superior and more affordable strategy for not only managing medical expenses but providing access for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must 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 comprehensive research. Perhaps a positive aspect amid present circumstances could be that we take serious examination at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes are necessary.