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Confused? You should be. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical employee. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – appears to require it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

Our Healthcare System Is More Than Complex, It's Expensive

Based on a recent study, the average family spends $27,000 each year on medical coverage (increasing by 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $17,000 per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Now federal operations has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes over tax credits that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

How soon might we seriously consider a national health insurance program in the United States? I have to believe we're approaching that point because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm proposing for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. The existing system doesn't change. How our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would need payments from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker earning moderate income pays about five point three percent toward medical coverage. The company pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you contrast that with what the typical American pays. I can name multiple clients that are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in inclusive programs, those payments include retirement benefits, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection along with funding medical services. When including those costs compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Execution in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and employer contribution. And, like much of federal defense, IT, social programs and transportation services, the system could be managed to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put us on a level playing field with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would render management much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would make simpler for us to budget our yearly costs, instead of enduring the complicated (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would be improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – contrasted with the current system where they have to interpret the complexities of existing plans. And there would definitely exist less liability for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to our employees' health histories for risk assessment and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as they get. But I've learned that government has a significant role in our lives, from providing defense to funding needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage to all through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, simpler approach for small businesses that employ the majority of American employees and generate half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses we've seen in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation is not working very well. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, despite increased taxation required, would remain a superior and more affordable approach for not only managing medical expenses but providing access for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, according to major studies. Maybe one bright spot in this current situation is that we take a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.