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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. HRA. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average employee. Selecting the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – appears to require demands a PhD in healthcare.

The Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It's Expensive

According to recent research, typical households pays $27,000 each year on medical coverage (up 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is expected to surpass $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

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

When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're approaching that point since this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare program – an established insurance framework – merely extend to cover everyone. The existing system doesn't change. How our healthcare providers get paid would change. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee earning average wages must contribute about five point three percent to their healthcare. The company must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you contrast it to what average American pays. I know dozens of clients that are routinely paying between 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. And keep in mind that with inclusive programs, these contributions include pension plans, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to supporting medical services. When including those costs compared with our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Execution for America

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and company payments. Similar to much of federal military, IT, social programs and transportation services, the system should be outsourced by private contractors instead of a government office.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program 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 that can pay for superior coverage. It would render management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and Medicare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would make simpler to plan expenses our yearly costs, rather than going through the complex (and fruitless) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding of coverage among workers – as opposed to the current system which require them to decipher the complexities of existing plans. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for employers since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' medical records for purposes of risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as possible. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in society, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It represents superior, simpler approach for entrepreneurs that employ more than half of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to enjoy better health, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, it's evident that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning effectively. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a superior and less expensive strategy for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to tone down national pride. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. The US places significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality globally, according to comprehensive research. Perhaps a bright spot amid present circumstances could be that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and agree that big changes need to happen.