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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends this complex system? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average employee. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – appears to require demands a PhD in healthcare.

Our Healthcare System Is More Than Complicated, It's Costly

According to recent research, typical households pays $27,000 each year for their health insurance (increasing by 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $17,000 per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning because partisan disputes over subsidies which analysts predict could cause a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're approaching that point since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. The existing system remains intact. How medical professionals receive payment would change. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would require contributions from workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker making average wages must contribute approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Unless you compare that with what the typical American pays. I know dozens of clients who are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits in addition to funding medical services. When you add these expenses compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It should be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and company payments. And, like many federal defense, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the system could be managed to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would make 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 enable it easier for us to budget our yearly costs, rather than going through the complex (and ineffective) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Due to simplification, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to interpret the complexities of existing plans. And there would certainly be reduced responsibility for companies as we no longer have access to our employees' health histories for weighing risks and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in our lives, including national security to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, easier system for small businesses that employ the majority of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It enables for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Exist numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, it's evident that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. 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 required, would still be a better and less expensive strategy for not only managing medical expenses but providing access for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, we need to reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality globally, based on comprehensive research. Perhaps a positive aspect amid current situation could be that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and agree that big changes are necessary.