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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. EPO. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? You should be. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Choosing the appropriate medical coverage for our business – or for households – seems like demands a PhD in healthcare.

Our Medical System Is More Than Complex, It Is Expensive

Based on recent research, typical households spends $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Currently the government is shut down due to partisan disputes regarding tax credits that experts say could cause 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 in the United States? I'm convinced we're approaching that point since 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 remains intact. The way our healthcare providers get paid would change. Trust me, they will adjust.

How Universal Coverage Could Function

A national health insurance program would require contributions from both employees and employers. In comparable systems, an employee earning average wages pays about 5.3% to their healthcare. The company pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you contrast it to what the typical US resident spends. I know multiple businesses who are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. Remember that with inclusive programs, these contributions include retirement benefits, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection along with funding medical services. When including these expenses versus what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution in the US

In the US, a national health premium would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It ought to be means-based – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to much of our government's military, technology, social programs and infrastructure, the program should be outsourced by private contractors instead of a government office.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would make administration much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to retirement and Medicare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, instead of going through the complicated (and ineffective) theater of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding of coverage by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complexities of existing plans. Additionally there would certainly be less liability for employers as we no longer have access to our employees' health histories for weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that public institutions has a significant role in society, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs that employ the majority of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Exist numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases experienced recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. I understand that we're not a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes required, would remain a superior and more affordable strategy for not only managing medical expenses but providing access for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places significantly behind numerous nations with the best healthcare in the world, based on major studies. Perhaps a bright spot in this present circumstances is that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes are necessary.