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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Not the typical entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – seems like demands a PhD in healthcare.

The Healthcare System Is More Than Complex, It Is Costly

According to recent research, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand each year on medical coverage (increasing by 6% compared to last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently the government is shut down because political disagreements over subsidies which analysts predict will lead to premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare system – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system doesn't change. The way medical professionals receive payment would change. Believe me, they will adjust.

How Universal Coverage Could Function

A national health insurance program would need contributions from both workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker making average wages pays about 5.3% to their healthcare. The company must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Unless you contrast it to what average US resident spends. I can name dozens of clients who are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that with comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection along with funding medical services. When you add those costs versus our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

For America, a national health premium would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and company payments. And, like many federal military, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the system could be managed to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents a significant advantage for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would render management much easier (a payroll deduction remitted like social security and Medicare taxes, instead of individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of going through the complex (and ineffective) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding of coverage by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complexities of current options. And there would certainly be less liability for companies as we no longer have access to workers' medical records for risk assessment and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that government play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for small businesses which hire more than half of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It enables for workers to enjoy better health, have better attendance and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Exist numerous factors I haven't covered? Certainly. But with rising medical expenses we've seen in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning effectively. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, even with increased taxation required, would remain a superior and more affordable strategy for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must tone down national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, based on major studies. Maybe one bright spot amid current situation could be that we take a hard look at ourselves and agree that big changes are necessary.