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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Neither the average employee. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – appears to require demands a PhD in medical insurance.

The Healthcare System Isn't Just Complex, It's Costly

According to a recent study, typical households spends $twenty-seven thousand each year on medical coverage (up 6% compared to last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $seventeen thousand for each worker in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Now the government has ceased functioning because partisan disputes over tax credits which analysts predict will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Might We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I have to believe we're approaching that point because this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. The existing system remains intact. The way medical professionals get paid would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.

The Way Universal Coverage Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker making moderate income must contribute approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. The company must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Unless you compare it to what the typical American pays. I know dozens of clients that are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in inclusive programs, these contributions include pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to funding medical services. When including these expenses versus our current spending on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Execution for America

For America, a national health premium would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system that is already in place. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. There would be both an employee and company payments. And, like much of federal defense, IT, social programs and infrastructure, the program should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than a government office.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program would be a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would put us on a level playing field with our larger competitors that can pay for superior coverage. It would render administration much easier (a payroll deduction remitted like retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would make it easier for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of going through the complicated (and ineffective) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding of coverage among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complications of existing plans. And there would definitely exist less liability for employers as we no longer would be privy to our employees' health histories for weighing risks and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that public institutions has a significant role in society, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses which hire more than half of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to enjoy better health, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning effectively. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where big changes are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, despite increased taxation required, would still be a better and less expensive strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must tone down our own arrogance. 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 amid current situation could be that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.