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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. Point of Service. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. SHOP. Single coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical business owner. Neither the average employee. Selecting the right medical coverage for our business – or for our families – appears to require demands a PhD in healthcare.

Our Medical System Is More Than Complex, It's Costly

According to recent research, the average family spends $27,000 each year on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $17,000 per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning because partisan disputes regarding subsidies which analysts predict could cause premium increases up to 100% 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 have to believe we're approaching that point because this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. The existing system remains intact. How medical professionals get paid changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need contributions from workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker earning moderate income must contribute about 5.3% toward medical coverage. The company must contribute about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you compare it to what average American pays. I can name dozens of businesses who are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that with comprehensive systems, those payments include pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When you add those costs versus what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

In the US, a national health premium would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It ought to be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. And, like much of our government's defense, technology, social programs and infrastructure, the program could be managed by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors that can pay for better plans. It would make management much easier (a payroll deduction remitted like retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than enduring the complicated (and fruitless) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually every year. Due to simplification, there would be improved comprehension of coverage among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complexities of current options. Additionally there would certainly be reduced responsibility for companies as we no longer have access to workers' medical records for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in society, including national security to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs that employ more than half of American employees and generate half the economic output. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses we've seen recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning effectively. I understand that America isn't a compact European nation where major reforms are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, even with increased taxation required, would remain a better and more affordable strategy both for managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. We rank well below many other countries with the best healthcare globally, based on major studies. Maybe one positive aspect amid current situation is that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and agree that major reforms need to happen.