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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. ACA. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical employee. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – appears to require it requires a PhD in healthcare.

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

Based on a recent study, the average family spends $twenty-seven thousand annually on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $17,000 per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Currently federal operations has ceased functioning because partisan disputes over subsidies which analysts predict could cause a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I'm convinced we're getting closer since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. The way medical professionals get paid would change. Trust me, they will adjust.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee earning average wages must contribute about 5.3% to their healthcare. The company must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you compare it to what the typical US resident spends. I know multiple clients who are routinely paying between 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. Remember that with comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover retirement benefits, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection along with supporting medical services. When including these expenses compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. It ought to be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to much of federal military, technology, social programs and transportation services, the system should be outsourced by private contractors instead of a government office.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would render administration significantly simpler (a payroll deduction remitted like social security and Medicare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler to plan expenses our yearly costs, rather than enduring the complicated (and fruitless) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding about benefits by our employees – as opposed to the current system where they have to interpret the complexities of existing plans. And there would certainly be reduced responsibility for employers since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' health histories for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that government has a significant role in our lives, from providing defense 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 which hire the majority of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It enables employees to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Exist a million considerations I haven't covered? Of course there are. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning very well. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes are easier to implement. But expanding universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a superior and less expensive approach both for managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank well below many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, according to major studies. Maybe one bright spot in this current situation could be that we take a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.