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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. Point of Service. HDHP. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the appropriate medical coverage for companies – or for our families – seems like demands advanced expertise in healthcare.

Our Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Costly

Based on recent research, typical households pays $27,000 each year for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $17,000 per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Now the government has ceased functioning because partisan disputes over subsidies which analysts predict could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will 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 getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. How medical professionals get paid changes. Trust me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require contributions from workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker making moderate income pays about five point three percent toward medical coverage. The company must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Unless you compare that with what the typical American pays. I can name dozens of clients that are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, those payments include pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and job loss protection along with supporting medical services. When including these expenses versus our current spending for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Implementation for America

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. There would be both worker and employer contribution. And, like many federal military, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the program could be managed by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would put us on a level playing field with our larger competitors who can afford better plans. It would render administration significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than separate payments to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than going through the complicated (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with major insurers required annually each year. Due to simplification, there would be improved comprehension of coverage among workers – contrasted with the current system which require them to interpret the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for employers since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' medical records for purposes of risk assessment and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that public institutions has a significant role in our lives, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage to all through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, easier system for small businesses which hire more than half of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It enables employees to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Exist numerous factors I'm not addressing? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning effectively. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where big changes are easier to implement. But expanding universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a better and more affordable strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, must tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. The US places significantly behind numerous nations with the best healthcare globally, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot amid present circumstances could be that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and agree that major reforms are necessary.