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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – appears to require demands advanced expertise in medical insurance.

The Medical System Isn't Just Complex, It Is Costly

According to recent research, the average family spends $27,000 each year for their health insurance (increasing by 6% compared to last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $17,000 for each worker by 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Currently federal operations is shut down due to political disagreements over subsidies that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare program – an established insurance framework – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. How medical professionals receive payment would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would require payments from workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker making average wages pays approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer pays about 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Unless you compare that with what average American pays. I can name multiple businesses who are routinely paying between eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs for medical benefits. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, these contributions include pension plans, illness coverage, parental benefits and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting healthcare facilities. When you add these expenses compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

In the US, a national health premium would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to much of federal defense, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the program could be managed by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would place small companies in equal competition against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would render management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, rather than going through the complex (and fruitless) process of negotiating with major insurers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would exist improved comprehension of coverage among workers – contrasted with existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complexities of existing plans. And there would definitely exist less liability for employers as we no longer would be privy to our employees' medical records for weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that government play important functions in society, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage to all via universal healthcare enhances 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 of our GDP. It enables employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning very well. And I realize that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, despite increased taxation that would be incurred, would still be a superior and more affordable strategy both for managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank well below many other countries in healthcare quality globally, based on major studies. Perhaps a bright spot in this current situation is that we take a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.