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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. Point of Service. HDHP. HSA. FSA. HRA. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – seems like it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

The Healthcare System Isn't Just Complex, It Is Expensive

Based on a recent study, the average family spends $twenty-seven thousand each year on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Now the government has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes regarding tax credits which analysts predict will lead to a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we seriously consider a national health insurance program in the United States? I have to believe we're approaching that point since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. How our healthcare providers get paid changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How Universal Coverage Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would require contributions from both employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee making average wages must contribute approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. The company pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Unless you contrast that with what average US resident spends. I know dozens of businesses who are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. Remember that in comprehensive systems, these contributions include pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to funding medical services. When you add those costs compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Execution for America

For America, a national health premium would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework already established. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and company payments. Similar to much of federal military, IT, social programs and transportation services, the program could be managed by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for small businesses such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would make administration significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and Medicare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of going through the complicated (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with major insurers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complications of existing plans. And there would certainly be less liability for companies since we wouldn't have access to our employees' health histories for purposes of risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in society, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. But with rising medical expenses we've seen recently, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning very well. And I realize that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, despite increased taxation required, would remain a better and more affordable strategy both for managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to tone down national pride. America's medical care isn't so great. The US places significantly behind numerous nations with the best healthcare in the world, according to major studies. 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.