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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. HMO. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical business owner. Nor the typical worker. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – appears to require demands a PhD in medical insurance.

The Medical System Is More Than Complex, It Is Costly

Based on a recent study, typical households spends $twenty-seven thousand annually on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $seventeen thousand for each worker in 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Currently the government is shut down because political disagreements over subsidies that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we seriously consider a national health insurance program in the United States? I'm convinced we're approaching that point because this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – merely extend to include all citizens. The existing system remains intact. The way our healthcare providers get paid would change. Believe me, they will adjust.

How Universal Coverage Could Function

A national health insurance program would need contributions from both employees and employers. In similar programs, a worker making average wages must contribute approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you contrast it to what the typical US resident spends. I know dozens of businesses who are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. Remember that in inclusive programs, those payments also cover retirement benefits, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection along with funding medical services. When including these expenses versus our current spending on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Execution in the US

For America, a national health premium would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. It ought to be means-based – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. There would be both an employee and company payments. Similar to much of our government's military, IT, social programs and transportation services, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than a government office.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would make administration much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and Medicare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would make simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complex (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with major insurers required annually every year. Because it's simplified, there would be improved comprehension about benefits by our employees – as opposed to the current system which require them to decipher the complexities of current options. And there would certainly be reduced responsibility for employers as we no longer would be privy to our employees' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that government play important functions in society, including national security to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage to all via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs that employ more than half of American employees and fund half the economic output. It enables employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced recently, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning effectively. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes are easier to implement. However extending Medicare for all, despite the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a superior and less expensive strategy both for controlling healthcare costs but providing access to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places significantly behind numerous nations with the best healthcare globally, according to major studies. Maybe one positive aspect amid current situation is that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.