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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the right medical coverage for companies – or for households – appears to require demands advanced expertise in healthcare.

Our Healthcare System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Expensive

According to recent research, the average family pays $27,000 annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $17,000 per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Now federal operations has ceased functioning because partisan disputes over tax credits that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program here in America? I have to believe we're approaching that point because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. The existing system remains intact. The way our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Trust me, they will adjust.

How National Health Insurance Would Work

A national health insurance program would require payments from employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker earning average wages must contribute approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you contrast that with what the typical US resident spends. I can name multiple clients who are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, those payments include retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting healthcare facilities. When including those costs versus what we pay on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Execution in the US

For America, a national health premium would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. There would be both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to much of our government's military, technology, social programs and infrastructure, the program could be managed by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for small businesses such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would render management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would enable simpler for us to budget our yearly costs, rather than enduring the complicated (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would be improved comprehension about benefits among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for employers since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that government has a significant role in society, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, simpler approach for entrepreneurs that employ more than half of the country's workers and fund half the economic output. It enables for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation is not working very well. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, despite increased taxation that would be incurred, would still be a superior and less expensive strategy for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality globally, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect in this present circumstances could be that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and agree that major reforms need to happen.