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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. Point of Service. HDHP. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – seems like demands advanced expertise in healthcare.

Our Healthcare System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Costly

Based on recent research, the average family spends $27,000 annually for their health insurance (increasing by 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $17,000 per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Now the government is shut down due to political disagreements over tax credits that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. The existing system doesn't change. How our healthcare providers get paid would change. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require contributions from employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker earning moderate income pays approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Unless you compare that with what the typical American pays. I can name dozens of clients who are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that in comprehensive systems, these contributions include pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with supporting healthcare facilities. When including those costs versus our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system that is already in place. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and employer contribution. Similar to much of federal military, IT, social programs and transportation services, the system could be managed by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for small businesses such as my company. It would place small companies in equal competition against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would render administration much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, rather than going through 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 about benefits by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complications of existing plans. And there would definitely exist less liability 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 possible. However I recognize that government has a significant role in society, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses which hire the majority of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I'm not addressing? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's evident 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 Medicare for all, despite the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a better and more affordable approach both for managing medical expenses but providing access for all citizens.

Time for Honest Assessment

As Americans, must tone down national pride. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. We rank well below numerous nations in healthcare quality globally, according to major studies. Perhaps a bright spot in this present circumstances could be that we take a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes are necessary.