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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the right medical coverage for our business – or for households – seems like it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

Our Medical System Isn't Just Complex, It Is Costly

Based on recent research, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $17,000 per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently federal operations is shut down due to political disagreements over tax credits which analysts predict could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way medical professionals get paid changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from both employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker making average wages must contribute approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. The company must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear like a lot? Not if you contrast that with what the typical US resident spends. I can name dozens of clients that are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, those payments also cover pension plans, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection along with funding medical services. When including these expenses versus what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Execution in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It ought to be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. There would be both worker and company payments. And, like many federal military, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

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 against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would render management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to retirement and Medicare taxes, instead of separate payments to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of going through the complicated (and ineffective) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits among workers – as opposed to the current system which require them to decipher the complications of current options. Additionally there would certainly be less liability for companies since we wouldn't have access to workers' health histories for purposes of risk assessment and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that government has a significant role in society, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone through a national insurance system strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs that employ the majority of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there numerous factors 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. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, even with increased taxation that would be incurred, would still be a superior and less expensive approach both for controlling healthcare costs but providing access for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. The US places significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, based on major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect amid current situation could be that we take a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.