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Deductibles. In-network. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. HRA. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Choosing the right medical coverage for our business – or for our families – seems like it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

The Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Costly

Based on recent research, typical households spends $twenty-seven thousand annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% compared to last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is expected to surpass $17,000 per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Currently the government is shut down due to political disagreements regarding tax credits that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we seriously consider a national health insurance program here in America? I'm convinced we're approaching that point because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an established insurance framework – merely extend to include all citizens. The existing system remains intact. The way our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would require payments from workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee making average wages must contribute approximately five point three percent to their healthcare. The company must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you compare that with what the typical US resident spends. I can name multiple businesses who are routinely paying anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs for medical benefits. Remember that with comprehensive systems, these contributions include pension plans, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When you add those costs compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. There would be both worker and company payments. Similar to much of federal defense, IT, social programs and infrastructure, the program should be outsourced by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a significant advantage for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would place us on a level playing field with our larger competitors who can afford better plans. It would make management much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of going through the complex (and ineffective) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers required annually every year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding about benefits by our employees – as opposed to the current system which require them to decipher the complications of current options. And there would definitely exist less liability for companies since we wouldn't have access to our employees' medical records for purposes of weighing risks and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as they get. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in society, including national security to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage to all through a national insurance system strengthens economic foundations. It represents superior, simpler approach for entrepreneurs that employ more than half of American employees and fund half the economic output. It enables employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Exist a million considerations I haven't covered? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses we've seen recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation is not working very well. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes required, would still be a better and less expensive approach for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Honest Assessment

As Americans, must tone down our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. The US places significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, based on major studies. Maybe one bright spot in this present circumstances is that we take a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.