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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – seems like it requires a PhD in healthcare.

Our Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Expensive

According to a recent study, the average family spends $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (increasing by 6% from last year). The average employer health insurance cost is expected to surpass $17,000 per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes over subsidies that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

When will we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I'm convinced we're getting closer since this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. The way our healthcare providers get paid would change. Trust me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would require payments from both employees and employers. In similar programs, a worker earning moderate income pays about five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer pays about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Unless you contrast it to what the typical US resident spends. I know multiple clients that are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that with inclusive programs, those payments also cover pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection along with funding healthcare facilities. When including those costs versus what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It ought to be means-based – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. This includes both an employee and company payments. And, like much of our government's military, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the program could be managed by private contractors rather than a government office.

Advantages for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage 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 (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and Medicare taxes, rather than separate payments to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would enable simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, rather than going through the complicated (and ineffective) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would be improved comprehension about benefits by our employees – as opposed to the current system which require them to interpret the complexities of existing plans. And there would certainly be reduced responsibility for employers since we wouldn't have access to our employees' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that public institutions has a significant role in our lives, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system enhances economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It enables employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Exist numerous factors I'm not addressing? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses we've seen recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes required, would remain a superior and more affordable strategy both for controlling healthcare costs but providing access for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. The US places significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality globally, based on comprehensive research. Perhaps a positive aspect in this present circumstances could be that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and agree that major reforms are necessary.