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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. COBRA. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the appropriate medical coverage for our business – or for our families – seems like demands advanced expertise in medical insurance.

The Healthcare System Isn't Just Complex, It Is Expensive

Based on recent research, typical households pays $27,000 annually for their health insurance (increasing by 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $seventeen thousand for each worker in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

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

When Might We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. How our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Trust me, they will adjust.

How National Health Insurance Would Work

A national health insurance program would require contributions from employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker making moderate income pays about 5.3% toward medical coverage. The company pays about 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you compare that with what the typical American pays. I can name multiple businesses who are easily contributing between 8% to 15% 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 medical services. When you add those costs compared with what we pay on retirement programs, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Implementation in the US

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It ought to be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. This includes both worker and company payments. And, like many our government's military, technology, social programs and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would put us on a level playing field with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would render management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction remitted like retirement and Medicare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would make it easier for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of going through the complex (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with major insurers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding of coverage among workers – as opposed to the current system where they have to decipher the complications of current options. And there would certainly be less liability for employers as we no longer would be privy to workers' health histories for purposes of risk assessment and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in society, including national security to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses that employ the majority of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It enables for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I'm not addressing? Certainly. Given rising medical expenses we've seen in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. I understand that we're not a compact European nation where big changes are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a better and less expensive strategy for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't so great. The US places well below many other countries with the best healthcare globally, according to comprehensive research. Perhaps a bright spot amid current situation could be that we take serious examination in the mirror and agree that major reforms need to happen.