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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. 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 understands this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Choosing the appropriate medical coverage for our business – or for households – seems like it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

The Medical System Is More Than Complex, It Is Costly

According to recent research, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% from last year). The average employer health insurance cost is expected to surpass $seventeen thousand for each worker in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now the government has ceased functioning because political disagreements regarding subsidies that experts say 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 getting closer since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – merely extend to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. How medical professionals get paid changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Would Work

A national health insurance program would need contributions from both workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee earning average wages must contribute about five point three percent to their healthcare. The company must contribute about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you compare that with what average American pays. I know multiple clients that are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that with comprehensive systems, those payments also cover pension plans, illness coverage, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with funding medical services. When including these expenses versus our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Implementation in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. And, like much of our government's defense, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the system should be outsourced by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program would be a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would place small companies in equal competition against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would make management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction processed similarly to retirement and Medicare taxes, instead of separate payments to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would make it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of going through the complex (and ineffective) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding of coverage by our employees – as opposed to the current system where they have to interpret the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would certainly be reduced responsibility for employers as we no longer have access to workers' medical records for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in society, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone through a national insurance system strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses that employ the majority of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It enables employees to be healthier, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning very well. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes required, would still be a superior and less expensive approach both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

As Americans, must tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, based on major studies. Maybe one positive aspect amid present circumstances could be that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and agree that major reforms are necessary.