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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

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

Our Medical System Is More Than Complex, It Is Expensive

Based on recent research, the average family spends $27,000 each year on medical coverage (up 6% compared to last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand for each worker by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning due to political disagreements over subsidies that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

When will 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 suggesting government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. How medical professionals receive payment changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need contributions from workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker earning moderate income must contribute about five point three percent to their healthcare. Their employer pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you compare it to what the typical US resident spends. I can name multiple clients that are routinely paying between 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that in comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and job loss protection along with supporting medical services. When including those costs versus what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Implementation in the US

For America, a national health premium would raise existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It ought to be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than those earning less. This includes both an employee and company payments. And, like much of federal military, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for entrepreneurs like mine. It would place us on a level playing field 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 separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than enduring the complicated (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with major insurers required annually every year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding of coverage by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for companies as we no longer have access to our employees' medical records for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that government has a significant role in society, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, easier system for small businesses which hire more than half of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a better and more affordable approach for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, must tone down our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank well below many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, based on major studies. Maybe one positive aspect amid current situation is that we take a hard look at ourselves and agree that big changes need to happen.