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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical worker. Choosing the right medical coverage for our business – or for households – seems like demands a PhD in healthcare.

Our Healthcare System Isn't Just Complicated, It Is Costly

Based on recent research, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand each year on medical coverage (up 6% compared to last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $17,000 per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Currently federal operations has ceased functioning because partisan disputes regarding tax credits which analysts predict could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program in the United States? I have to believe we're approaching that point because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an established insurance framework – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would require contributions from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker earning average wages pays approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. The company must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you contrast that with what the typical US resident spends. I know dozens of businesses who are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, those payments include pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and job loss protection along with funding healthcare facilities. When including these expenses versus our current spending 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 raise existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It ought to be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and employer contribution. And, like many our government's defense, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than a government office.

Advantages 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 better plans. It would make management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than going through the complex (and fruitless) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding about benefits among workers – as opposed to the current system where they have to interpret the complications of current options. Additionally there would certainly be less liability for employers as we no longer would be privy to our employees' health histories for purposes of risk assessment and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in our lives, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, simpler approach for small businesses which hire the majority of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It enables employees to be healthier, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Of course there are. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning very well. I understand that America isn't a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, despite increased taxation required, would remain a better and more affordable approach both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, based on major studies. Maybe one bright spot amid current situation is that we take a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.