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Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Neither the average employee. Choosing the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – appears to require it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

The Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Expensive

According to a recent study, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand each year on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). The average employer health insurance cost is expected to surpass $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Now the government is shut down because partisan disputes regarding subsidies that experts say will lead to a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

How soon might 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 national healthcare. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. The existing system doesn't change. How our healthcare providers get paid changes. Trust me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would need payments from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee making moderate income pays approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. The company must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you contrast it to what average US resident spends. I know multiple clients who are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs for medical benefits. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, those payments include retirement benefits, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection along with supporting medical services. When including those costs compared with what we pay on retirement programs, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a system that is already in place. It ought to be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would pay more than those earning less. There would be both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to much of our government's defense, IT, social programs and infrastructure, the program should be outsourced by private contractors instead of a government office.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for better plans. It would make management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction remitted like retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses our yearly costs, rather than going through the complicated (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension of coverage among workers – contrasted with existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complexities of existing plans. And there would certainly be less liability for companies as we no longer have access to our employees' medical records for risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that government has a significant role in our lives, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs which hire more than half of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It enables employees to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Exist numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. And I realize that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, despite increased taxation that would be incurred, would still be a superior and less expensive strategy for not only managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must tone down national pride. America's medical care isn't so great. The US places significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare globally, according to major studies. Maybe one positive aspect in this present circumstances could be that we take a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes are necessary.