🔗 Share this article

Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. Point of Service. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average employee. Selecting the right medical coverage for our business – or for households – seems like it requires a PhD in healthcare.

Our Medical System Isn't Just Complex, It's Expensive

According to a recent study, typical households spends $twenty-seven thousand each year on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $17,000 for each worker in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Currently federal operations is shut down due to partisan disputes regarding tax credits which analysts predict could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage 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 that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system doesn't change. The way medical professionals receive payment changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from both employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker making average wages pays approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. The company must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you contrast it to what average American pays. I know dozens of businesses who are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. Remember that with inclusive programs, those payments include pension plans, illness coverage, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with funding medical services. When you add those costs compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Implementation for America

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system that is already in place. It ought to be means-based – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. This includes both an employee and company payments. And, like much of federal military, IT, social programs and transportation services, the program could be managed to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors that can pay for better plans. It would make administration much easier (a payroll deduction remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would make simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complex (and ineffective) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding of coverage among workers – as opposed to the current system which require them to interpret the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would certainly be less liability for employers as we no longer have access to our employees' health histories for weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in our lives, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses that employ the majority of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Exist a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning effectively. I understand that America isn't a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, despite increased taxation required, would still be a better and more affordable strategy both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality globally, according to major studies. Maybe one bright spot in this current situation is that we take serious examination in the mirror and agree that big changes are necessary.