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Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. ACA. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. HDHP. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? It's understandable. Who comprehends all this stuff? Not the typical business owner. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – seems like it requires advanced expertise in medical insurance.

Our Medical System Is More Than Complex, It Is Costly

Based on a recent study, the average family spends $27,000 each year on medical coverage (up 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $17,000 per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

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

When Might We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

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 advocating for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How our healthcare providers receive payment would change. Trust me, they will adjust.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would require contributions from both employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker earning moderate income pays approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Unless you contrast it to what average American pays. I can name dozens of businesses who are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. And keep in mind that in inclusive programs, those payments include retirement benefits, illness coverage, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with supporting medical services. When including these expenses compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Execution for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than those earning less. There would be both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to much of federal military, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced by private contractors rather than a government office.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program would be a significant advantage for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would make management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complex (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding about benefits by our employees – contrasted with the current system where they have to interpret the complexities of existing plans. Additionally there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for employers since we wouldn't have access to workers' health histories for risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that government play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs that employ the majority of the country's workers and fund half the economic output. It enables employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced recently, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning very well. I understand that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a better and more affordable approach for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. We rank significantly behind numerous nations with the best healthcare in the world, based on major studies. Perhaps a bright spot in this present circumstances is that we undertake serious examination in the mirror and agree that big changes need to happen.