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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. HDHP. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. COBRA. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average worker. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – appears to require it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

The Medical System Is More Than Complex, It Is Expensive

According to a recent study, typical households spends $twenty-seven thousand annually on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $17,000 per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently federal operations is shut down due to partisan disputes regarding tax credits which analysts predict could cause a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

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

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How our healthcare providers get paid changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Could Function

A national health insurance program would need payments from both employees and employers. In similar programs, a worker making average wages pays about 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you contrast that with what the typical American pays. I can name dozens of businesses that are routinely paying anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs for medical benefits. Remember that with comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover pension plans, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When including those costs compared with what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. It ought to be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. There would be both an employee and company payments. Similar to much of federal defense, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the program should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would place small companies in equal competition against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would render administration significantly simpler (a payroll deduction remitted like retirement and Medicare taxes, instead of individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, rather than going through the complicated (and ineffective) theater of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would be improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – contrasted with 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 would be privy to our employees' medical records for risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that government has a significant role in our lives, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system enhances economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs that employ the majority of American employees and generate half the economic output. It enables employees to be healthier, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working very well. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, even with increased taxation that would be incurred, would remain a superior and less expensive approach both for controlling healthcare costs but providing access to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, according to major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect amid current situation is that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and agree that big changes are necessary.