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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. HDHP. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Family 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 our families – seems like demands advanced expertise in medical insurance.

Our Medical System Is More Than Complex, It's Costly

Based on recent research, the average family pays $twenty-seven thousand each year on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $17,000 for each worker by 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Currently federal operations is shut down due to partisan disputes over 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 universal healthcare coverage here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer since this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. How our healthcare providers get paid changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would need contributions from both employees and employers. In similar programs, a worker making moderate income pays about five point three percent to their healthcare. The company pays about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear like a lot? Not if you compare it to what average American pays. I can name dozens of clients who are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, these contributions include pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to supporting medical services. When you add these expenses compared with what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It ought to be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. This includes both an employee and company payments. And, like much of our government's defense, IT, social programs and transportation services, the system could be managed to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors that can pay for superior coverage. It would make management much easier (a payroll deduction remitted like social security and Medicare taxes, instead of individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would make it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of going through the complicated (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with major insurers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding of coverage among workers – contrasted with the current system where they have to interpret the complexities of current options. And there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't have access to workers' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as they get. However I recognize that public institutions has a significant role in society, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses which hire 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 haven't covered? Of course there are. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced recently, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes are easier to implement. However extending Medicare for all, despite the additional taxes required, would remain a superior and less expensive approach both for controlling healthcare costs but providing access for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank well below many other countries in healthcare quality globally, based on comprehensive research. Perhaps a bright spot in this current situation could be that we take a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.