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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. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Choosing the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – appears to require demands a PhD in medical insurance.

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

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

Currently federal operations has ceased functioning because political disagreements over tax credits that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I'm convinced we're approaching that point since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. How our healthcare providers get paid would change. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need contributions from workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee making moderate income pays approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Unless you contrast that with what the typical American pays. I can name multiple clients who are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that in inclusive programs, those payments also cover pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with supporting healthcare facilities. When you add these expenses compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Implementation for America

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise 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. There would be both an employee and employer contribution. And, like many our government's defense, IT, social programs and transportation services, the system could be managed by private contractors rather than a government office.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would put us on a level playing field with our larger competitors that can pay for superior coverage. It would make administration significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complicated (and fruitless) process of negotiating with major insurers required annually each year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding about benefits among workers – as opposed to the current system which require them to decipher the complexities of current options. And there would definitely exist less liability for companies since we wouldn't have access to workers' health histories for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that government has a significant role in our lives, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for small businesses which hire the majority of American employees and generate half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Exist numerous factors I haven't covered? Certainly. Given all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation is not working very well. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, despite increased taxation that would be incurred, would remain a superior and more affordable strategy both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to tone down national pride. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank well below numerous nations with the best healthcare in the world, according to comprehensive research. Perhaps a positive aspect in this current situation is that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.