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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. POS. HDHP. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. SHOP. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? You should be. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – seems like demands a PhD in healthcare.

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

Based on a recent study, the average family pays $27,000 annually for their health insurance (increasing by 6% compared to last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $17,000 for each worker in 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Currently the government is shut down due to partisan disputes regarding subsidies which analysts predict could cause a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

When will we seriously consider a national health insurance program here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare system – an established insurance framework – merely extend to include all citizens. The existing system remains intact. How our healthcare providers get paid changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How Universal Coverage Could Function

A national health insurance program would need payments from both employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker earning moderate income pays approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. The company pays about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear like a lot? Unless you compare that with what the typical American pays. I can name multiple businesses who are routinely paying anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages for medical benefits. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover retirement benefits, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with funding healthcare facilities. When you add those costs compared with what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation in the US

For America, a national health premium would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework already established. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. There would be both an employee and company payments. And, like much of federal military, technology, social programs and infrastructure, the system could be managed by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would render management much easier (a payroll deduction remitted like social security and Medicare taxes, instead of separate payments to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complex (and ineffective) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would be improved comprehension about benefits among workers – as opposed to the current system which require them to decipher the complexities of current options. And there would certainly be reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't have access to workers' medical records for purposes of weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as possible. But I've learned that government has a significant role in society, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage to all via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs that employ the majority of the country's workers and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Exist a million considerations I haven't covered? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses experienced in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. 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 to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare globally, according to major studies. Perhaps a bright spot amid current situation is that we undertake serious examination in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.