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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average worker. Choosing the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – seems like demands a PhD in healthcare.

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

According to recent research, the average family spends $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (increasing by 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently federal operations 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 Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer because this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare system – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How medical professionals receive payment would change. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker earning moderate income must contribute approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this appear like a lot? Unless you contrast it to what average US resident spends. I can name multiple clients that are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that in comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover pension plans, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting healthcare facilities. When you add those costs compared with what we pay on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

In the US, a national health premium would raise existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. There would be both worker and company payments. Similar to much of federal military, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the program could be managed by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program would be a significant advantage for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford better plans. It would make administration significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than going through the complex (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with major insurers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding about benefits among workers – contrasted with the current system where they have to decipher the complications of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for employers as we no longer have access to our employees' medical records for risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. But I've learned that government has a significant role in society, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, easier system for small businesses which hire more than half of American employees and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. I understand that we're not a compact European nation where big changes are easier to implement. But expanding 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 to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. We rank well below numerous nations with the best healthcare in the world, according to comprehensive research. Perhaps a positive aspect amid present circumstances is that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and agree that big changes need to happen.