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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. 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 comprehends this complex system? Not the typical business owner. Neither the average employee. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in medical insurance.

Our Healthcare System Is More Than Complex, It Is Costly

Based on a recent study, the average family spends $twenty-seven thousand each year on medical coverage (up 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to surpass $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning due to political disagreements over tax credits which analysts predict will lead to premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting 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. The way our healthcare providers get paid would change. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need contributions from both employees and employers. In comparable systems, an employee making average wages must contribute approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you compare that with what average American pays. I can name multiple businesses who are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that in inclusive programs, these contributions include pension plans, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to funding medical services. When you add these expenses versus what we pay on retirement programs, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

In the US, a national health premium would increase existing Medicare taxes, a framework that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. There would be both an employee and company payments. And, like many our government's defense, IT, social programs and transportation services, the program could be managed to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors that can pay for superior coverage. It would render administration much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier for us to budget our yearly costs, instead of going through the complex (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding about benefits among workers – as opposed to the current system where they have to interpret the complications of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for companies as we no longer would be privy to workers' health histories for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as they get. However I recognize that government has a significant role in society, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire more than half of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers 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 in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, even with increased taxation that would be incurred, would still be a superior and less expensive strategy both for managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank significantly behind numerous nations with the best healthcare globally, based on major studies. Maybe one positive aspect in this current situation could be that we take a hard look at ourselves and agree that big changes need to happen.