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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. HRA. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? You should be. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical business owner. Neither the average employee. Selecting the right medical coverage for companies – or for our families – seems like it requires a PhD in healthcare.

The Medical System Is More Than Complex, It's Expensive

According to recent research, the average family spends $27,000 annually on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is projected to surpass $seventeen thousand for each worker by 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Currently federal operations has ceased functioning due to political disagreements over subsidies which analysts predict will lead to premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

When will we seriously consider a national health insurance program in the United States? I'm convinced we're approaching that point because this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How our healthcare providers get paid would change. Trust me, they will adjust.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would need contributions from both employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker making average wages pays about 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you compare that with what average American pays. I can name dozens of clients that are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that with inclusive programs, these contributions also cover pension plans, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection along with funding healthcare facilities. When you add these expenses compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. And, like many our government's defense, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the program should be outsourced by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford better plans. It would render management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of going through the complicated (and ineffective) process of bargaining with major insurers required annually every year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding of coverage by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complications of current options. And there would certainly be less liability for companies as we no longer have access to workers' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as they get. However I recognize that public institutions has a significant role in society, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage to all through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, simpler approach for small businesses which hire more than half of the country's workers and generate half the economic output. It enables for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a better and less expensive strategy both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must tone down national pride. America's medical care isn't so great. The US places well below many other countries with the best healthcare globally, based on major studies. Maybe one positive aspect amid current situation could be that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.