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Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the right medical coverage for our business – or for our families – appears to require it requires a PhD in healthcare.

The Medical System Is More Than Complex, It Is Costly

Based on a recent study, typical households pays $27,000 each year for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is projected to surpass $17,000 for each worker in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now federal operations has ceased functioning because political disagreements over tax credits which analysts predict will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

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

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm proposing for our current Medicare system – an established insurance framework – simply expand to include all citizens. The existing system doesn't change. How medical professionals receive payment changes. Trust me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Could Function

A national health insurance program would require payments from both workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee making moderate income must contribute about 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer pays about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear like a lot? Unless you compare it to what the typical US resident spends. I know dozens of businesses who are routinely paying anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs for medical benefits. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, those payments include retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When including these expenses versus what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Execution in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework already established. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to many federal military, IT, social programs and transportation services, the system could be managed to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

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 superior coverage. It would render management much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would enable simpler for us to budget our yearly costs, rather than going through the complex (and fruitless) process 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 among workers – as opposed to the current system which require them to interpret the complexities of existing plans. And there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' medical records for purposes of weighing risks and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as they get. However I recognize that government play important functions in society, including national security to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses which hire more than half of the country's workers and generate half the economic output. It enables employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. Given rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning effectively. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, despite the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a better and more affordable approach for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, according to major studies. Maybe one positive aspect in this current situation is that we take a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.