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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. HRA. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Not the typical business owner. Neither the average employee. Selecting the appropriate medical coverage for our business – or for households – appears to require it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

Our Healthcare System Is More Than Complex, It's Expensive

According to a recent study, typical households spends $27,000 annually for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $17,000 for each worker in 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Now federal operations has ceased functioning due to political disagreements over tax credits that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we seriously consider a national health insurance program in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. How our healthcare providers receive payment would change. Believe me, they will adjust.

How Universal Coverage Could Function

A national health insurance program would require contributions from workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker making moderate income must contribute about five point three percent toward medical coverage. The company pays about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you contrast that with what average American pays. I can name multiple clients who are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that in comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits in addition to funding medical services. When you add those costs versus our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and company payments. And, like many our government's defense, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the system could be managed by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would make administration much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier for us to budget annual expenditures, rather than going through the complicated (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with major insurers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension of coverage 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 employers since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' health histories for weighing risks and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in society, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage to all via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses which hire the majority of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It enables for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Exist a million considerations I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. I understand that America isn't a compact European nation where big changes are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes required, would remain a better and less expensive approach for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Honest Assessment

As Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. The US places significantly behind numerous nations with the best healthcare in the world, according to major studies. Maybe one positive aspect in this current situation could be that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.