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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. HMO. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. HDHP. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Selecting the appropriate medical coverage for our business – or for households – seems like it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

The Healthcare System Is More Than Complex, It Is Costly

According to recent research, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand each year on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is expected to surpass $seventeen thousand for each worker in 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Now federal operations has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes over subsidies that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. How medical professionals receive payment changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

The Way National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would need payments from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee making moderate income pays about 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Unless you contrast that with what average American pays. I can name multiple clients that are routinely paying between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that with comprehensive systems, those payments include retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting healthcare facilities. When including these expenses versus what we pay on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

For America, a national health premium would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. There would be both worker and company payments. And, like many federal military, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford better plans. It would render administration much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses our yearly costs, rather than going through the complicated (and ineffective) theater of negotiating with major insurers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would exist improved comprehension of coverage among workers – contrasted with the current system which require them to decipher the complications of current options. And there would definitely exist less liability for companies since we wouldn't have access to our employees' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that government has a significant role in our lives, including national security to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, simpler approach for entrepreneurs that employ the majority of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Exist numerous factors I'm not addressing? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. And I realize that we're not 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 to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to tone down 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. Perhaps a positive aspect amid present circumstances is that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.