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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. HSA. FSA. HRA. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Not the typical business owner. Neither the average worker. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – seems like it requires a PhD in healthcare.

Our Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Costly

According to a recent study, typical households pays $27,000 annually on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is projected to surpass $17,000 for each worker in 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Now federal operations has ceased functioning because partisan disputes over subsidies that experts say will lead to a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage here in America? I'm convinced we're approaching that point since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare system – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system doesn't change. How our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

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

Does this appear expensive? Not if you compare that with what average US resident spends. I know multiple businesses who are routinely paying between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that with inclusive programs, these contributions include pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with supporting healthcare facilities. When you add these expenses compared with what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation in the US

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. It ought to be means-based – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. There would be both an employee and company payments. And, like many our government's military, IT, social programs and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than a government office.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for small businesses such as my company. It would place us on a level playing field with our larger competitors that can pay for superior coverage. It would make administration significantly simpler (a payroll deduction remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complex (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – as opposed to the current system where they have to decipher the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to our employees' medical records for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that government has a significant role in society, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, easier system for small businesses which hire more than half of the country's workers and fund half the economic output. It enables for workers to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced recently, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes required, would remain a better and more affordable strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank well below many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, based on major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect in this current situation is that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.