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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? You should be. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the right medical coverage for companies – or for our families – appears to require demands a PhD in medical insurance.

The Healthcare System Is More Than Complicated, It's Costly

Based on recent research, the average family pays $twenty-seven thousand each year for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $17,000 per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Currently federal operations has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes regarding subsidies which analysts predict will lead to premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we seriously consider a national health insurance program here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer since this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way medical professionals receive payment would change. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Would Work

A national health insurance program would require contributions from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee earning moderate income pays about five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this appear like a lot? Unless you compare it to what the typical US resident spends. I can name dozens of businesses that are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. Remember that in comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover pension plans, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection along with funding healthcare facilities. When you add those costs 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 increase existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than those earning less. This includes both worker and company payments. And, like many federal military, IT, social programs and infrastructure, the system could be managed by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would render administration much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, rather than enduring the complicated (and ineffective) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits among workers – contrasted with the current system which require them to decipher the complications of existing plans. And there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for employers as we no longer would be privy to our employees' medical records for purposes of weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses which hire more than half of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Exist numerous factors I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation is not working very well. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, despite increased taxation required, would still be a superior and less expensive strategy for not only managing medical expenses but providing access for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to tone down national pride. America's medical care isn't so great. The US places well below many other countries with the best healthcare globally, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect amid present circumstances could be that we take serious examination in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.