🔗 Share this article

Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who comprehends this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the right medical coverage for companies – or for our families – seems like it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

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

Based on recent research, typical households pays $27,000 annually for their health insurance (increasing by 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $17,000 for each worker in 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Currently the government is shut down due to partisan disputes over subsidies which analysts predict will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer because this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare system – an established insurance framework – merely extend to cover everyone. Our infrastructure remains intact. How medical professionals get paid would change. Trust me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from employees and employers. In comparable systems, an employee making moderate income pays approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you compare it to what the typical US resident spends. I can name dozens of clients that are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, these contributions include retirement benefits, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection along with funding healthcare facilities. When including these expenses compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

For America, a national health premium would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework that is already in place. It ought to be means-based – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and company payments. And, like many our government's defense, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the program could be managed by private contractors rather than a government office.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a significant advantage for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put small companies in equal competition 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 individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than going through the complicated (and fruitless) process of bargaining with major insurers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding of coverage among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to interpret the complexities of current options. And there would certainly be reduced responsibility for companies as we no longer would be privy to our employees' medical records for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in our lives, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage to all via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It represents superior, easier system for entrepreneurs that employ the majority of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It enables employees to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Exist numerous factors I'm not addressing? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses we've seen recently, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act is not working very well. I understand that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes required, would remain a superior and less expensive strategy both for controlling healthcare costs but providing access to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, must tone down national pride. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. We rank well below many other countries with the best healthcare globally, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect amid present circumstances is that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and agree that major reforms need to happen.