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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. Point of Service. HDHP. HSA. FSA. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – seems like it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

Our Medical System Is More Than Complex, It's Expensive

According to recent research, the average family pays $27,000 each year for their health insurance (increasing by 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Currently the government is shut down due to partisan disputes over subsidies which analysts predict will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program in the United States? I'm convinced we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. How our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Trust me, they will adjust.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would require contributions from employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee making average wages must contribute about five point three percent to their healthcare. The company pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you contrast it to what average US resident spends. I know multiple clients who are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. Remember that with comprehensive systems, those payments also cover retirement benefits, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with funding healthcare facilities. When you add these expenses compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. There would be both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to many our government's defense, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the program could be managed to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would render management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction remitted like retirement and Medicare taxes, instead of individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses our yearly costs, rather than going through the complicated (and ineffective) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding of coverage among workers – contrasted with the current system where they have to decipher the complexities of existing plans. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for companies as we no longer have access to workers' medical records for purposes of risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in society, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for small businesses that employ more than half of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Exist a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. But with rising medical expenses we've seen in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning effectively. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where big changes are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes required, would remain a better and more affordable strategy both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to tone down national pride. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare globally, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect in this current situation could be that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.