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Confused? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Neither the average employee. Selecting the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – seems like it requires a PhD in healthcare.

The Healthcare System Isn't Just Complicated, It Is Costly

Based on recent research, the average family spends $27,000 annually on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Now the government is shut down because political disagreements over subsidies that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% 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 government-run medicine. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way medical professionals receive payment changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

How National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker making moderate income pays approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. The company must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Unless you compare that with what average US resident spends. I can name multiple clients that are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs for medical benefits. Remember that in comprehensive systems, those payments include pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to supporting medical services. When including these expenses versus what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a framework already established. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and company payments. And, like many our government's military, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the program could be managed by private contractors rather than a government office.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for better plans. It would render administration significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, instead of 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 improved comprehension about benefits among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to interpret the complications of current options. And there would certainly be reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' medical records for weighing risks and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to funding needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs which hire more than half of the country's workers and generate half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning effectively. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. However extending Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes required, would still be a superior and more affordable strategy for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare globally, according to major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect in this present circumstances could be that we take a hard look at ourselves and agree that major reforms are necessary.