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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. SHOP. Single coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Not the typical business owner. Neither the average worker. Selecting the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

The Medical System Isn't Just Complicated, It's Costly

Based on recent research, typical households spends $27,000 each year on medical coverage (increasing by 6% compared to last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $17,000 for each worker by 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Currently federal operations has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes regarding subsidies that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

When will we seriously consider a national health insurance program here in America? I have to believe we're approaching that point because this can't continue.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How our healthcare providers receive payment would change. Believe me, they'll adapt.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need contributions from employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker earning moderate income must contribute about 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you compare that with what average US resident spends. I can name multiple clients that are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. Remember that in comprehensive systems, these contributions include pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and job loss protection along with supporting medical services. When including those costs compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

For America, a national health premium would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework already established. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. There would be both worker and company payments. Similar to many our government's military, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the system could be managed to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Advantages for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents a significant advantage for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would render management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler for us to budget our yearly costs, rather than going through the complex (and ineffective) process of bargaining with major insurers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding about benefits by our employees – as opposed to the current system which require them to decipher the complications of current options. Additionally there would certainly be reduced responsibility for companies as we no longer have access to workers' medical records for purposes of weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. However I recognize that government play important functions in society, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, simpler approach for small businesses that employ more than half of American employees and fund half the economic output. It enables for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Exist a million considerations I'm not addressing? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation is not working very well. I understand that America isn't a compact European nation where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, despite increased taxation that would be incurred, would remain a superior and less expensive strategy both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places well below many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect amid current situation is that we undertake serious examination in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.