🔗 Share this article

Deductibles. In-network. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – seems like demands advanced expertise in medical insurance.

The Medical System Isn't Just Complex, It Is Costly

Based on recent research, typical households spends $twenty-seven thousand each year for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $17,000 per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning because political disagreements over tax credits which analysts predict will lead to premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I'm convinced we're approaching that point because this can't continue.

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

How National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would require contributions from workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker making moderate income pays approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer pays about 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 easily contributing between 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, those payments also cover pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with funding medical services. When including these expenses compared with our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework already established. It should be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. And, like much of federal military, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the program could be managed to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for better plans. It would render administration much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and Medicare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complex (and ineffective) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers required annually every year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding about benefits by our employees – as opposed to the current system which require them to decipher the complications of existing plans. And there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for companies as we no longer would be privy to our employees' medical records for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs which hire more than half of the country's workers and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Certainly. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding universal Medicare, even with increased taxation required, would still be a superior and less expensive approach for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, must tone down national pride. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank well below many other countries with the best healthcare globally, according to major studies. Maybe one bright spot in this current situation is that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.