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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. HMO. PPO. EPO. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? You should be. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average employee. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – seems like demands advanced expertise in healthcare.

Our Healthcare System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Costly

According to recent research, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (increasing by 6% compared to last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes over subsidies that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure remains intact. How our healthcare providers receive payment would change. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How Universal Coverage Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would require contributions from both employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee earning average wages must contribute approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you contrast it to what average American pays. I know dozens of businesses who are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, those payments also cover retirement benefits, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting medical services. When including those costs versus our current spending on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system that is already in place. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. There would be both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to many our government's defense, technology, social programs and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program would be a significant advantage for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would place small companies in equal competition against big corporations that can pay for better plans. It would make administration much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would make it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than going through the complex (and ineffective) process of negotiating with major insurers required annually every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding of coverage by our employees – contrasted with the current system which require them to interpret the complexities of existing plans. Additionally there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for companies as we no longer have access to workers' medical records for purposes of weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. But I've learned that government play important functions in our lives, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage to all through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs that employ the majority of American employees and generate half of our GDP. 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 haven't covered? Certainly. But with rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. 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 superior and more affordable approach both for controlling healthcare costs but providing access to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. We rank significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality globally, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot amid current situation could be that we take a hard look in the mirror and agree that big changes need to happen.