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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. 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. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Selecting the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – seems like it requires advanced expertise in medical insurance.

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

According to a recent study, the average family pays $27,000 annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is expected to surpass $seventeen thousand for each worker by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now the government has ceased functioning due to political disagreements regarding subsidies which analysts predict could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage here in America? I have to believe we're approaching that point because this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system doesn't change. How our healthcare providers get paid would change. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need contributions from employees and employers. In comparable systems, an employee earning moderate income must contribute approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. The company pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you contrast that with what average American pays. I can name multiple clients that are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that with inclusive programs, these contributions also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with funding medical services. When including those costs compared with our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

In the US, a national health premium would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and employer contribution. Similar to many our government's military, technology, social programs and infrastructure, the system could be managed to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would put small companies in equal competition against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would make administration significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, rather than enduring the complex (and ineffective) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits among workers – contrasted with the current system which require them to decipher the complexities of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for companies since we wouldn't have access to workers' medical records for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. However I recognize that public institutions has a significant role in our lives, including national security to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for small businesses that employ the majority of American employees and generate half the economic output. It enables for workers to enjoy better health, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. Given rising medical expenses we've seen recently, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working very well. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, even with increased taxation that would be incurred, would remain a superior and less expensive approach for not only controlling healthcare costs but providing access to everyone.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality globally, based on major studies. Maybe one bright spot in this current situation could be that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and agree that big changes need to happen.