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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the right medical coverage for companies – or for our families – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in medical insurance.

Our Healthcare System Is More Than Complex, It Is Costly

Based on a recent study, the average family pays $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $17,000 for each worker by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Now the government is shut down because political disagreements regarding subsidies that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee making average wages pays about 5.3% toward medical coverage. The company must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you contrast it to what the typical American pays. I know dozens of clients that are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs for medical benefits. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, these contributions include retirement benefits, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When including those costs compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Implementation in the US

In the US, a national health premium would increase existing Medicare taxes, a framework that is already in place. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. This includes both worker and employer contribution. Similar to many our government's military, technology, social programs and transportation services, the system could be managed to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would place small companies in equal competition against big corporations that can pay for better plans. It would render administration significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, rather than going through the complex (and fruitless) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers required annually every year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding of coverage by our employees – as opposed to the current system which require them to decipher the complexities of existing plans. Additionally there would certainly be less liability for employers as we no longer have access to workers' health histories for risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that government play important functions in our lives, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire more than half of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It enables for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Of course there are. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's evident that current healthcare legislation is not working very well. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where big changes are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, despite increased taxation required, would remain a better and more affordable strategy for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank well below many other countries with the best healthcare globally, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot in this present circumstances is that we take a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.