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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. SHOP. Single coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – seems like it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

Our Medical System Isn't Just Complicated, It's Expensive

According to recent research, typical households spends $twenty-seven thousand each year on medical coverage (up 6% compared to last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $17,000 per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Now the government has ceased functioning because political disagreements over subsidies that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

When will we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I have to believe we're getting closer since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. The way our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee making moderate income must contribute approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. The company pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear like a lot? Not if you contrast that with what average American pays. I can name dozens of clients that are routinely paying between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that with comprehensive systems, those payments also cover pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection along with funding medical services. When you add those costs versus our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Implementation for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It ought to be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and company payments. Similar to many our government's defense, IT, social programs and transportation services, the system could be managed to third-party administrators rather than a government office.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would make management much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable it easier for us to budget our yearly costs, rather than enduring the complex (and fruitless) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complexities of existing plans. And there would definitely exist less liability for employers as we no longer would be privy to workers' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as they get. But I've learned that government play important functions in our lives, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage to all through a national insurance system strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs that employ the majority of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with rising medical expenses experienced in recent years, it's evident that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning effectively. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where big changes are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a better and more affordable strategy both for managing medical expenses but providing access for all citizens.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. The US places well below numerous nations with the best healthcare globally, based on major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect amid current situation could be that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and agree that big changes need to happen.