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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the right medical coverage for our business – or for households – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

The Medical System Is More Than Complex, It Is Expensive

According to recent research, the average family pays $27,000 each year on medical coverage (increasing by 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $17,000 for each worker by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now the government is shut down because partisan disputes over tax credits which analysts predict could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

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

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way medical professionals receive payment changes. Trust me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee earning average wages pays approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Unless you contrast that with what average US resident spends. I know multiple clients who are routinely paying between eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs for medical benefits. And keep in mind that in inclusive programs, those payments include pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When including these expenses versus our current spending on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation in the US

For America, a national health premium would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. There would be both an employee and company payments. Similar to many federal defense, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would render management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, rather than going through the complex (and ineffective) process of negotiating with major insurers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding about benefits among workers – contrasted with the current system which require them to decipher the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would certainly be less liability for companies as we no longer would be privy to our employees' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that public institutions has a significant role in society, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs that employ the majority of the country's workers and generate half the economic output. It enables employees to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. Given rising medical expenses we've seen in recent years, it's evident that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, even with increased taxation that would be incurred, would still be a better and less expensive approach for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, we need to reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't exceptional. The US places well below numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, according to major studies. Perhaps a bright spot in this current situation could be that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.