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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. HDHP. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who comprehends this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the right medical coverage for our business – or for households – seems like it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

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

Based on recent research, typical households spends $27,000 annually on medical coverage (up 6% compared to last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand for each worker by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Now the government is shut down because political disagreements over tax credits which analysts predict will lead to premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we seriously consider a national health insurance program here in America? I have to believe we're getting closer because this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare system – an established insurance framework – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. How our healthcare providers receive payment would change. Believe me, they'll adapt.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would require contributions from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker making moderate income pays about five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Unless you contrast it to what the typical US resident spends. I can name multiple clients who are routinely paying anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs for medical benefits. And keep in mind that in inclusive programs, these contributions include retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting medical services. When you add these expenses compared with what we pay on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. This includes both worker and company payments. Similar to many federal military, technology, social programs and infrastructure, the system could be managed to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would place us on a level playing field with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would render management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, rather than enduring the complex (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with major insurers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding about benefits among workers – as opposed to the current system where they have to decipher the complexities of existing plans. And there would certainly be reduced responsibility for employers as we no longer have access to our employees' health histories for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as possible. But I've learned that government has a significant role in our lives, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, easier system for small businesses that employ the majority of American employees and fund half the economic output. It enables employees to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation is not working very well. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. However extending Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a better and less expensive approach for not only controlling healthcare costs but providing access to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must tone down national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, according to major studies. Maybe one positive aspect in this current situation could be that we undertake serious examination in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.