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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the appropriate medical coverage for companies – or for households – seems like demands a PhD in medical insurance.

Our Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Expensive

According to a recent study, the average family spends $27,000 each year on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is expected to surpass $17,000 per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now federal operations has ceased functioning due to political disagreements over subsidies which analysts predict will lead to a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare system – an established insurance framework – merely extend to include all citizens. The existing system doesn't change. How medical professionals receive payment would change. Believe me, they'll adapt.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need contributions from both employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker making moderate income must contribute about five point three percent to their healthcare. The company must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Unless you compare it to what average US resident spends. I can name dozens of clients that are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that with comprehensive systems, those payments include retirement benefits, illness coverage, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with supporting healthcare facilities. When you add those costs versus our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation in the US

In the US, a national health premium would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework already established. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. There would be both worker and company payments. Similar to much of federal military, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the program could be managed by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford better plans. It would render management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction remitted like social security and Medicare taxes, instead of separate payments to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, instead of going through the complicated (and fruitless) process of bargaining with major insurers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding of coverage among workers – contrasted with the current system where they have to decipher the complexities of existing plans. Additionally there would certainly be less liability for companies as we no longer have access to workers' medical records for weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that government has a significant role in society, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage to all through a national insurance system strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs which hire more than half of the country's workers and generate half the economic output. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Exist numerous factors I'm not addressing? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, 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 the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a superior and more affordable strategy for not only managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank well below many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, based on major studies. Maybe one bright spot in this current situation could be that we take a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.