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Confused? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – appears to require it requires a PhD in healthcare.

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

Based on a recent study, the average family pays $27,000 annually on medical coverage (up 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $17,000 per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Currently federal operations is shut down because political disagreements over subsidies that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I'm convinced we're approaching that point because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers get paid changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would need payments from employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee making moderate income must contribute about 5.3% toward medical coverage. The company must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you contrast it to what the typical American pays. I can name dozens of clients that are routinely paying anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that in inclusive programs, those payments also cover retirement benefits, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When including these expenses compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Implementation for America

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and employer contribution. And, like much of our government's military, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the program should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would place small companies in equal competition against big corporations that can pay for better plans. It would render management much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would enable simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complex (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would exist improved comprehension of coverage among workers – contrasted with the current system where they have to decipher the complexities of existing plans. And there would certainly be less liability for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to our employees' health histories for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as they get. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in society, from providing defense to funding needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses that employ the majority of the country's workers and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. Given rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, despite the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a better and more affordable approach both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank significantly behind numerous nations with the best healthcare globally, based on major studies. Perhaps a bright spot amid current situation is that we take a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.