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Deductibles. In-network. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. HRA. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? It's understandable. Who comprehends this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – appears to require demands a PhD in medical insurance.

The Medical System Is More Than Complex, It Is Costly

According to a recent study, typical households spends $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Currently the government is shut down because political disagreements over tax credits which analysts predict could cause a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

When will we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I have to believe we're getting closer because this can't continue.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. The way our healthcare providers get paid changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee earning moderate income must contribute approximately five point three percent to their healthcare. The company must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Unless you compare it to what average US resident spends. I know dozens of businesses that are routinely paying between 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover pension plans, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting medical services. When you add those costs compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. And, like many our government's military, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the system could be managed to third-party administrators rather than a government office.

Advantages for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would place us on a level playing field with our larger competitors who can afford better plans. It would make management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, rather than going through the complex (and fruitless) process of negotiating with major insurers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding of coverage among workers – contrasted with existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for companies as we no longer have access to workers' medical records for purposes of risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Exist numerous factors I haven't covered? Certainly. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's evident that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, despite increased taxation that would be incurred, would still be a superior and less expensive approach for not only managing medical expenses but providing access for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

As Americans, must tone down national pride. America's medical care isn't so great. The US places well below many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, according to comprehensive research. Perhaps a positive aspect in this present circumstances could be that we take serious examination at ourselves and agree that major reforms need to happen.