🔗 Share this article

Deductibles. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Choosing the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

Our Healthcare System Isn't Just Complicated, It Is Expensive

Based on a recent study, the average family spends $twenty-seven thousand each year for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is projected to surpass $17,000 for each worker in 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Currently the government is shut down due to political disagreements over subsidies that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program in the United States? I'm convinced we're approaching that point because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare system – an established insurance framework – merely extend to include all citizens. The existing system doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers get paid would change. Believe me, they'll adapt.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would need payments from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker earning average wages pays approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you compare that with what average US resident spends. I can name dozens of clients that are routinely paying anywhere from 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 job loss protection along with funding healthcare facilities. When including these expenses compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Execution for America

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a framework that is already in place. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and company payments. Similar to many federal military, technology, social programs and transportation services, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would render administration significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would make simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, rather than enduring the complicated (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with major insurers required annually each year. Due to simplification, there would exist improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – as opposed to the current system which require them to decipher the complications of existing plans. And there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't have access to workers' health histories for purposes of risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage to all via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to enjoy better health, come to work more often and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Exist numerous factors I haven't covered? Certainly. But with rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning effectively. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, despite increased taxation required, would still be a superior and more affordable approach both for managing medical expenses but providing access for all citizens.

Time for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. We rank significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare globally, based on major studies. Maybe one bright spot amid current situation is that we take serious examination in the mirror and agree that big changes need to happen.