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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average employee. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – appears to require it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

Our Medical System Is More Than Complex, It's Costly

According to a recent study, the average family pays $27,000 each year on medical coverage (increasing by 6% compared to last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $17,000 per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Now federal operations has ceased functioning due to political disagreements regarding subsidies that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

When will we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to include all citizens. The existing system remains intact. The way medical professionals receive payment changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need contributions from workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker earning average wages must contribute about 5.3% toward medical coverage. The company must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you contrast it to what the typical American pays. I know multiple clients that are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. And keep in mind that in inclusive programs, these contributions include retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with funding medical services. When you add these expenses compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Execution in the US

In the US, a national health premium would raise existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It should be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. There would be both an employee and employer contribution. And, like many federal military, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program would be a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would render management much easier (a payroll deduction remitted like social security and Medicare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than enduring the complicated (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with major insurers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding about benefits among workers – contrasted with existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complications of current options. And there would definitely exist less liability for employers as we no longer would be privy to our employees' health histories for risk assessment and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that government has a significant role in society, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses that employ the majority of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation is not working very well. And I realize that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a better and less expensive strategy for not only managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

As Americans, must tone down national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank well below numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect amid current situation is that we take a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.