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Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Not the typical business owner. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the right medical coverage for our business – or for households – appears to require demands advanced expertise in healthcare.

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

Based on recent research, typical households spends $27,000 each year on medical coverage (increasing by 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $17,000 for each worker by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently the government is shut down due to partisan disputes regarding tax credits which analysts predict will lead to a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

When will we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program here in America? I have to believe we're getting closer since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. The existing system remains intact. How our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would require payments from employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker earning moderate income must contribute approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. The company pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Unless you compare that with what the typical American pays. I can name dozens of businesses that are routinely paying between eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs for medical benefits. Remember that in comprehensive systems, these contributions include pension plans, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with funding healthcare facilities. When you add those costs compared with what we pay on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and company payments. Similar to much of our government's defense, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the program should be outsourced by private contractors instead of a government office.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage would be a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would make management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable it easier for us to budget our yearly costs, rather than enduring the complex (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with major insurers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would exist improved comprehension of coverage among workers – as opposed to the current system where they have to decipher the complexities of current options. And there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for employers since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' medical records for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as possible. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in our lives, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage to all via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs that employ more than half of the country's workers and generate half the economic output. It enables employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses we've seen recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation is not working very well. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, despite increased taxation that would be incurred, would remain a better and less expensive strategy for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. The US places well below numerous nations in healthcare quality globally, based on major studies. Maybe one bright spot amid current situation could be that we take a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes are necessary.