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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

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

The Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Costly

Based on a recent study, the average family pays $27,000 annually on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

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

When Might We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I'm convinced we're getting closer since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to include all citizens. The existing system doesn't change. The way medical professionals receive payment would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require contributions from workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee making moderate income must contribute about five point three percent toward medical coverage. The company must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you contrast that with what the typical American pays. I can name multiple businesses who are routinely paying anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that with comprehensive systems, these contributions include pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection along with supporting medical services. When you add those costs compared with our current spending on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

For America, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. This includes both worker and company payments. And, like many federal military, IT, social programs and transportation services, the system could be managed to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for better plans. It would make administration much easier (a payroll deduction remitted like retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, rather than enduring the complicated (and fruitless) process of negotiating with major insurers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding of coverage by our employees – as opposed to the current system where they have to interpret the complications of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for employers since we wouldn't would be privy to our employees' health histories for weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as they get. But I've learned that government play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage to all via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, simpler approach for entrepreneurs which hire more than half of the country's workers and generate half the economic output. It enables for workers to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Exist numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses experienced in recent years, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working very well. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes required, would remain a better and less expensive strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank well below numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot amid present circumstances is that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and agree that big changes need to happen.