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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the right medical coverage for our business – or for our families – seems like demands a PhD in medical insurance.

The Medical System Is More Than Complex, It Is Costly

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

Now federal operations is shut down because political disagreements over subsidies that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

When will we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. How our healthcare providers get paid would change. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How Universal Coverage Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee making average wages must contribute about five point three percent to their healthcare. The company pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear like a lot? Not if you contrast that with what the typical US resident spends. I can name multiple clients that are routinely paying between 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, those payments also cover retirement benefits, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection along with funding medical services. When including those costs versus our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

In the US, a national health premium would raise existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. It ought to be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. There would be both an employee and company payments. And, like many our government's defense, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the system could be managed to third-party administrators rather than a government office.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition against big corporations that can pay for better plans. It would make administration much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to retirement and Medicare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would make it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of going through the complicated (and fruitless) theater of negotiating 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 decipher the complications of existing plans. And there would certainly be less liability for employers as we no longer would be privy to workers' medical records for purposes of risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as possible. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in society, including national security to supporting essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs that employ more than half of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I'm not addressing? Certainly. Given rising medical expenses experienced in recent years, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning effectively. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, even with increased taxation that would be incurred, would still be a superior and more affordable strategy for not only managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank well below many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, according to major studies. Perhaps a bright spot amid current situation could be that we take a hard look in the mirror and agree that big changes are necessary.