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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. ACA. 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. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the appropriate medical coverage for companies – or for households – seems like it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

The Healthcare System Isn't Just Complex, It's Expensive

According to a recent study, the average family pays $27,000 annually for their health insurance (increasing by 6% compared to last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $seventeen thousand for each worker in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes over subsidies which analysts predict could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we seriously consider a national health insurance program here in America? I have to believe we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – merely extend to cover everyone. Our infrastructure remains intact. The way medical professionals get paid would change. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee making moderate income must contribute about 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer pays about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you compare that with what the typical American pays. I know multiple clients who are routinely paying between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that with comprehensive systems, those payments also cover retirement benefits, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits in addition to funding medical services. When including these expenses versus our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and company payments. And, like many our government's defense, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the program should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than a government office.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would place us on a level playing field with our larger competitors that can pay for better plans. It would make management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction remitted like retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of going through the complicated (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with major insurers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding about benefits among workers – contrasted with the current system where they have to interpret the complexities of current options. And there would definitely exist less liability for companies as we no longer would be privy to our employees' medical records for purposes of risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, easier system for small businesses which hire more than half of the country's workers and generate half the economic output. It enables employees to be healthier, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Exist numerous factors I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where big changes are easier to implement. But expanding universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a better and more affordable approach for not only managing medical expenses but providing access for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, must reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't so great. The US places significantly behind numerous nations with the best healthcare in the world, according to major studies. Maybe one bright spot amid present circumstances could be that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and agree that big changes need to happen.