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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Not the typical entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Selecting the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – appears to require demands advanced expertise in medical insurance.

The Healthcare System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Costly

According to a recent study, the average family spends $27,000 each year on medical coverage (up 6% compared to last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $17,000 for each worker by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently federal operations is shut down due to partisan disputes regarding tax credits that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we seriously consider a national health insurance program in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer because this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm proposing for our current Medicare system – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. How our healthcare providers get paid would change. Believe me, they'll adapt.

The Way Universal Coverage Could Function

A national health insurance program would require payments from both workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker making moderate income pays about 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer pays about 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Unless you compare it to what average US resident spends. I know dozens of clients that are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that with comprehensive systems, those payments include pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with supporting healthcare facilities. When including those costs compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Execution for America

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a system that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would pay more than those earning less. There would be both worker and employer contribution. Similar to much of our government's defense, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program would be a significant advantage for entrepreneurs like mine. It would place us on a level playing field with our larger competitors that can pay for better plans. It would render management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler for us to budget our yearly costs, rather than enduring the complicated (and ineffective) process of bargaining with major insurers required annually every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits by our employees – contrasted with the current system where they have to decipher the complexities of current options. And there would certainly be less liability for employers as we no longer would be privy to our employees' medical records for weighing risks and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that government play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses that employ more than half of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses experienced in recent years, it's evident that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning effectively. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a better and less expensive strategy for not only managing medical expenses but providing access for all citizens.

Time for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't exceptional. The US places significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, based on major studies. Perhaps a bright spot amid current situation is that we take serious examination in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.