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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. SHOP. Single coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Not the typical entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Choosing the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – seems like demands advanced expertise in medical insurance.

The Healthcare System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Costly

According to a recent study, typical households spends $27,000 annually for their health insurance (increasing by 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is projected to surpass $17,000 per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Now the government is shut down due to partisan disputes regarding subsidies which analysts predict will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I'm convinced we're approaching that point since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way medical professionals receive payment would change. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would require payments from workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee making moderate income must contribute approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Unless you contrast it to what the typical American pays. I know dozens of clients who are routinely paying between 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that in comprehensive systems, these contributions include pension plans, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection along with funding healthcare facilities. When you add 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 existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. There would be both an employee and company payments. Similar to many our government's military, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the system could be managed by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for better plans. It would make management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would make simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, rather than enduring the complicated (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with major insurers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding of coverage by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for employers as we no longer have access to our employees' medical records for weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that government has a significant role in society, including national security to supporting essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs that employ the majority of the country's workers and generate half the economic output. It enables employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Exist numerous factors I'm not addressing? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning effectively. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, even with increased taxation that would be incurred, would remain a better and less expensive strategy both for controlling healthcare costs but providing access for all citizens.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. The US places well below many other countries in healthcare quality globally, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect amid present circumstances is that we take a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.