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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who comprehends this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Choosing the appropriate medical coverage for our business – or for households – appears to require demands advanced expertise in healthcare.

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

According to recent research, typical households pays $27,000 each year for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $17,000 for each worker in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now federal operations is shut down due to partisan disputes over subsidies that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage here in America? I have to believe we're approaching that point since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to include all citizens. The existing system doesn't change. The way medical professionals receive payment would change. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would require contributions from both employees and employers. In comparable systems, an employee earning average wages pays about 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer pays about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you contrast that with what the typical American pays. I can name dozens of businesses who are routinely paying between eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs for medical benefits. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, those payments include pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection along with supporting medical services. When including those costs compared with our current spending on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It ought to be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. There would be both an employee and employer contribution. And, like much of federal military, technology, social programs and infrastructure, the program should be outsourced by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put small companies in equal competition against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would make management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would make simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of going through the complicated (and ineffective) process of bargaining with major insurers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – as opposed to the current system where they have to decipher the complications of current options. And there would certainly be less liability for companies as we no longer have access to our employees' medical records for purposes of weighing risks and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in our lives, including national security to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, simpler approach for small businesses that employ more than half of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It enables employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning effectively. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes required, would remain a better and more affordable strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank well below many other countries in healthcare quality globally, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect amid current situation could be that we take a hard look in the mirror and agree that big changes are necessary.