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Deductibles. In-network. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. HDHP. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Not the typical business owner. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – appears to require it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

The Healthcare System Isn't Just Complicated, It's Expensive

According to recent research, the average family pays $twenty-seven thousand annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% from last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to surpass $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently federal operations is shut down because political disagreements over subsidies which analysts predict will lead to premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I'm convinced we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. How our healthcare providers receive payment would change. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee making moderate income must contribute approximately five point three percent to their healthcare. The company pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear like a lot? Not if you contrast that with what the typical US resident spends. I can name dozens of clients who are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, those payments also cover pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection along with funding medical services. When you add those costs versus our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a framework that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. There would be both worker and company payments. Similar to much of federal military, IT, social programs and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program would be a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would put us on a level playing field with our larger competitors that can pay for superior coverage. It would make management much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier for us to budget our yearly costs, rather than going through the complicated (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with major insurers required annually every year. Due to simplification, there would be improved comprehension of coverage among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complexities of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for companies as we no longer have access to workers' medical records for purposes of risk assessment and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in our lives, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It represents superior, simpler approach for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It enables employees to be healthier, come to work more often and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. Given all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working very well. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes required, would still be a better and more affordable approach both for managing medical expenses but providing access for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, must tone down national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places well below many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect in this present circumstances could be that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and agree that major reforms are necessary.