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Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average employee. Choosing the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – appears to require it requires a PhD in healthcare.

The Healthcare System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Expensive

Based on recent research, typical households spends $27,000 each year for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $17,000 per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now the government is shut down because partisan disputes regarding tax credits that experts say will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program here in America? I'm convinced we're approaching that point because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. How medical professionals get paid would change. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would need payments from employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker earning average wages pays about 5.3% to their healthcare. The company must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you compare it to what the typical US resident spends. I know dozens of businesses who are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, those payments include retirement benefits, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting medical services. When including those costs versus our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Execution for America

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. It ought to be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. This includes both worker and employer contribution. Similar to many our government's military, IT, social programs and infrastructure, the system could be managed to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage would be a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would make administration much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, instead of going through the complicated (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with major insurers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding about benefits by our employees – contrasted with the current system where they have to decipher the complications of current options. And there would certainly be less liability for companies since we wouldn't have access to our employees' health histories for weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that government play important functions in society, including national security to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs that employ more than half of the country's workers and generate half the economic output. It enables employees to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act is not working very well. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes required, would still be a better and less expensive approach both for controlling healthcare costs but providing access to everyone.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank well below many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, based on comprehensive research. Perhaps a positive aspect amid current situation could be that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes are necessary.