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Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. ACA. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? You should be. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical business owner. Neither the average employee. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – seems like demands a PhD in medical insurance.

Our Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It's Expensive

Based on a recent study, the average family spends $twenty-seven thousand each year for their health insurance (increasing by 6% from last year). Typical 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 because political disagreements over subsidies which analysts predict could cause a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

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

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to include all citizens. The existing system doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require contributions from both employees and employers. In comparable systems, an employee earning moderate income pays approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. The company must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you contrast that with what average American pays. I can name dozens of businesses who are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that with inclusive programs, those payments include pension plans, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with funding medical services. When including those costs versus our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Execution for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It ought to be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. There would be both an employee and company payments. Similar to much of our government's military, technology, social programs and transportation services, the system could be managed by private contractors instead of a government office.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors that can pay for superior coverage. It would make management much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would make simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, rather than enduring the complicated (and fruitless) process of negotiating with major insurers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding about benefits by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to interpret the complexities of existing plans. Additionally there would certainly be reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't have access to our employees' medical records for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in society, including national security to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare to all 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 of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there 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. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes required, would remain a superior and less expensive strategy both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

As Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. We rank significantly behind numerous nations with the best healthcare globally, according to major studies. Maybe one bright spot amid current situation is that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and agree that big changes need to happen.