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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. POS. HDHP. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. SHOP. Single coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

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

Based on recent research, typical households spends $27,000 each year for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $17,000 for each worker by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently the government is shut down because partisan disputes over tax credits that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Might We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program in the United States? I'm convinced we're approaching that point since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. The existing system doesn't change. How our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would need contributions from workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee earning moderate income pays approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. The company must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you compare that with what the typical American pays. I know multiple businesses that are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, those payments include retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting medical services. When including these expenses versus our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Implementation in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It should be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would pay more than those earning less. There would be both an employee and company payments. Similar to many federal defense, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the system should be outsourced by private contractors rather than a government office.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would put us on a level playing field with our larger competitors that can pay for better plans. It would make management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction remitted like social security and Medicare taxes, rather than separate payments to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complex (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with major insurers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding about benefits by our employees – contrasted with existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would certainly be less liability for companies as we no longer would be privy to our employees' medical records for weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as they get. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in society, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage to all through a national insurance system enhances economic foundations. It represents superior, simpler approach for entrepreneurs that employ more than half of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Exist numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning very well. 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 approach both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

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 many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, based on major studies. Perhaps a bright spot in this present circumstances is that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.