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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who comprehends this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

The Healthcare System Isn't Just Complicated, It's Costly

Based on recent research, typical households spends $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to surpass $seventeen thousand for each worker in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently the government is shut down due to partisan disputes regarding subsidies which analysts predict will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

When will we seriously consider a national health insurance program here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer because this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm proposing for our current Medicare system – an established insurance framework – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How our healthcare providers get paid changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require contributions from workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee making average wages pays about 5.3% toward medical coverage. The company pays about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear like a lot? Not if you compare it to what average US resident spends. I know dozens of businesses who are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that in comprehensive systems, these contributions include pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and job loss protection along with supporting medical services. When including those costs compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a framework that is already in place. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. There would be both worker and employer contribution. Similar to many federal military, technology, social programs and transportation services, the system should be outsourced by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put small companies in equal competition against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would render management much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable it easier for us to budget our yearly costs, rather than enduring the complex (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits among workers – as opposed to the current system which require them to decipher the complexities of current options. And there would certainly be less liability for companies as we no longer have access to our employees' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that government has a significant role in society, including national security to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, simpler approach for entrepreneurs which hire 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'm not addressing? Certainly. But with rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's clear 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. But expanding universal Medicare, even with increased taxation that would be incurred, would still be a superior and less expensive strategy both for managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, we need to reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare globally, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot amid current situation is that we undertake serious examination in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.