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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the right medical coverage for our business – or for our families – seems like demands a PhD in healthcare.

The Healthcare System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Costly

Based on recent research, the average family pays $twenty-seven thousand annually on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes regarding tax credits which analysts predict will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we seriously consider a national health insurance program in the United States? I'm convinced we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers get paid would change. Believe me, they will adjust.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need contributions from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee making average wages pays approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. The company pays about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Unless you contrast that with what the typical American pays. I can name dozens of clients who are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that in inclusive programs, those payments also cover retirement benefits, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with funding healthcare facilities. When including those costs compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. There would be both an employee and company payments. Similar to much of federal military, IT, social programs and infrastructure, the system could be managed by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford better plans. It would make management much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and Medicare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of going through the complex (and ineffective) process of negotiating with major insurers required annually every year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding about benefits by our employees – contrasted with existing arrangements which require them to interpret the complexities of current options. Additionally there would certainly be reduced responsibility for employers since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that government has a significant role in society, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage to all through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire more than half of American employees and fund half the economic output. It enables employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I'm not addressing? Certainly. Given rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a superior and less expensive strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't exceptional. The US places significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot in this current situation could be that we take a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.