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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the appropriate medical coverage for our business – or for our families – seems like it requires a PhD in healthcare.

The Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It's Expensive

According to recent research, typical households spends $27,000 annually on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to surpass $17,000 per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Currently federal operations has ceased functioning because partisan disputes regarding subsidies that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer since this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. How our healthcare providers get paid would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would require contributions from both employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker making average wages pays approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer pays about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you compare it to what average American pays. I can name multiple businesses who are routinely paying between eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs for medical benefits. Remember that in comprehensive systems, those payments include retirement benefits, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with supporting healthcare facilities. When including these expenses compared with what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Implementation in the US

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. It ought to be means-based – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. There would be both worker and company payments. And, like much of our government's military, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the system could be managed to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would render management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction remitted like retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than enduring the complicated (and ineffective) process of bargaining with major insurers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would be improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – as opposed to the current system which require them to decipher the complications of existing plans. And there would certainly be reduced responsibility for companies as we no longer would be privy to our employees' health histories for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that public institutions has a significant role in our lives, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, simpler approach for small businesses that employ more than half of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, come to work more often and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Exist numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning effectively. I understand that we're not a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, even with increased taxation that would be incurred, would still be a better and more affordable approach for not only controlling healthcare costs but providing access to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank significantly behind numerous nations with the best healthcare globally, according to major studies. Perhaps a bright spot amid present circumstances is that we take serious examination at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.