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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. 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 comprehends this complex system? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average worker. Selecting the right medical coverage for our business – or for households – appears to require it requires a PhD in healthcare.

Our Healthcare System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Expensive

According to a recent study, typical households spends $27,000 annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% compared to last year). Typical company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand for each worker by 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning because political disagreements regarding subsidies that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

When will we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage here in America? I'm convinced we're approaching that point since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system doesn't change. How our healthcare providers get paid would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

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

Does this seem like a lot? Unless you contrast that with what the typical US resident spends. I can name dozens of businesses who are routinely paying anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that in inclusive programs, these contributions include pension plans, illness coverage, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with funding healthcare facilities. When including those costs versus what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Implementation for America

For America, a national health premium would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and company payments. Similar to many federal defense, technology, social programs and transportation services, the system should be outsourced by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program would be a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would place us on a level playing field with our larger competitors that can pay for better plans. It would make management much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler for us to budget our yearly costs, rather than enduring the complex (and fruitless) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually every year. Due to simplification, there would be improved comprehension about benefits by our employees – as opposed to the current system where they have to decipher the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for companies as we no longer have access to our employees' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that public institutions has a significant role in our lives, including national security to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage to all via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire more than half of American employees and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible for workers to enjoy better health, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses we've seen in recent years, 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 are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes required, would still be a better and less expensive strategy both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank well below many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, according to major studies. Maybe one bright spot amid current situation could be that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.