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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average employee. Selecting the right medical coverage for companies – or for households – seems like it requires a PhD in healthcare.

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

Based on recent research, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand each year on medical coverage (increasing by 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to surpass $17,000 per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Now federal operations is shut down because political disagreements regarding tax credits which analysts predict could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I'm convinced we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure remains intact. How our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would need payments from both employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee making moderate income must contribute approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear like a lot? Not if you compare that with what the typical American pays. I can name multiple businesses who are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that in comprehensive systems, those payments also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting medical services. When including those costs compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Execution in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It ought to be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and employer contribution. And, like many federal defense, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the program could be managed to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for entrepreneurs like mine. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would render management much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would make it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, instead of going through the complicated (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding about benefits by our employees – contrasted with the current system where they have to interpret the complications of existing plans. And there would certainly be less liability for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' medical records for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that public institutions has a significant role in our lives, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage to all via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs that employ more than half of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to enjoy better health, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Exist a million considerations I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's evident that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. And I realize that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a better and less expensive strategy both for managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank well below many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect in this present circumstances could be that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.