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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. SHOP. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? You should be. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average employee. Selecting the appropriate medical coverage for companies – or for our families – appears to require demands advanced expertise in medical insurance.

Our Healthcare System Is More Than Complicated, It's Costly

According to a recent study, the average family pays $twenty-seven thousand annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $17,000 per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning because political disagreements over subsidies which analysts predict could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we seriously consider a national health insurance program in the United States? I have to believe we're approaching that point because this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How our healthcare providers get paid changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

The Way National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would require contributions from workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee making average wages pays about 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you contrast that with what the typical American pays. I can name dozens of clients that are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that with comprehensive systems, these contributions include pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting healthcare facilities. When including 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, a national health premium would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a framework already established. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and company payments. And, like many our government's defense, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the program could be managed by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would make administration significantly simpler (a payroll deduction remitted like social security and Medicare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of going through the complicated (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding about benefits among workers – as opposed to the current system where they have to decipher the complexities of existing plans. Additionally there would certainly be reduced responsibility for employers as we no longer would be privy to our employees' health histories for weighing risks and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. But I've learned that government play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage to all via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire more than half of the country's workers and generate half the economic output. It enables for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. Given rising medical expenses experienced in recent years, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. However extending Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes required, would still be a superior and less expensive strategy both for managing medical expenses but providing access for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places significantly behind numerous nations with the best healthcare in the world, based on major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect amid current situation is that we undertake serious examination in the mirror and agree that major reforms are necessary.