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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average employee. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – appears to require demands a PhD in healthcare.

Our Healthcare System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Expensive

According to a recent study, the average family pays $twenty-seven thousand annually on medical coverage (up 6% compared to last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand for each worker by 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Now the government is shut down due to political disagreements regarding subsidies which analysts predict will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're approaching that point because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way medical professionals get paid changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from both workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee making moderate income must contribute approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. The company pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you compare that with what average American pays. I can name multiple clients who are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. Remember that in comprehensive systems, those payments include pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits in addition to funding medical services. When including those costs compared with our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

In the US, a national health premium would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. There would be both an employee and company payments. Similar to many our government's military, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the program could be managed to third-party administrators rather than a government office.

Advantages for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a huge benefit for small businesses such as my company. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would render administration significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would make it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, instead of going through the complex (and ineffective) 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 the current system which require them to interpret the complications of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for employers since we wouldn't have access to workers' medical records for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to funding needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs that employ the majority of the country's workers and generate half the economic output. It enables for workers to enjoy better health, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I'm not addressing? Certainly. Given rising medical expenses we've seen in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning effectively. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes required, would remain a better and less expensive strategy for not only managing medical expenses but providing access for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality globally, based on major studies. Maybe one positive aspect amid current situation could be that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.