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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who comprehends all this stuff? Not the typical entrepreneur. Neither the average employee. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – seems like it requires advanced expertise in medical insurance.

Our Medical System Isn't Just Complex, It Is Costly

Based on recent research, the average family spends $27,000 annually on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand for each worker by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now federal operations is shut down because political disagreements over subsidies that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer because this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm proposing for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure remains intact. How our healthcare providers receive payment would change. Believe me, they'll adapt.

The Way Universal Coverage Could Function

A national health insurance program would require contributions from employees and employers. In comparable systems, an employee making average wages must contribute approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear like a lot? Not if you compare it to what the typical US resident spends. I know dozens of businesses who are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, those payments also cover pension plans, illness coverage, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with funding medical services. When you add these expenses compared with what we pay on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation in the US

In the US, a national health premium would increase existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. There would be both worker and employer contribution. And, like many federal military, technology, social programs and transportation services, the system could be managed to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would place small companies in equal competition against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would make management much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler for us to budget our yearly costs, rather than enduring the complicated (and fruitless) process of negotiating with major insurers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would be improved comprehension of coverage among workers – contrasted with the current system which require them to interpret the complications of current options. And there would certainly be less liability for companies as we no longer have access to our employees' health histories for purposes of risk assessment and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in society, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of the country's workers and generate half the economic output. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Certainly. But with rising medical expenses experienced 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 major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a superior and less expensive strategy for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

As Americans, must tone down national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank well below many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, based on major studies. Perhaps a bright spot amid current situation is that we undertake serious examination in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.