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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. HRA. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average employee. Selecting the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – seems like it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

Our Medical System Isn't Just Complex, It's Costly

According to a recent study, typical households pays $27,000 annually for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand for each worker in 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Currently federal operations is shut down because political disagreements over subsidies which analysts predict will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

When will we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. The existing system remains intact. The way medical professionals get paid would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How Universal Coverage Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would require contributions from both employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee making moderate income pays approximately five point three percent to their healthcare. The company must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you compare that with what average American pays. I can name dozens of businesses who are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, those payments include retirement benefits, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to supporting medical services. When including these expenses compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Execution in the US

In the US, a national health premium would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to much of our government's defense, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the system could be managed to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for better plans. It would render administration much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, instead of enduring the complicated (and fruitless) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits among workers – as opposed to the current system which require them to interpret the complications of existing plans. And there would certainly be reduced responsibility for employers since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' health histories for weighing risks and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage to all through a national insurance system strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses which hire more than half of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, come to work more often and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Exist a million considerations I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a superior and less expensive strategy both for controlling healthcare costs but providing access to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, must tone down our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot in this current situation is that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.