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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? You should be. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

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

Based on recent research, typical households pays $27,000 annually for their health insurance (increasing by 6% compared to last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $17,000 for each worker in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently the government is shut down because partisan disputes over subsidies which analysts predict could cause premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer since this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. The existing system doesn't change. How medical professionals get paid changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

The Way Universal Coverage Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from both workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee making average wages pays approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. The company pays about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you contrast it to what average American pays. I can name multiple businesses that are routinely paying between 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and job loss protection along with funding healthcare facilities. When including those costs compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Execution for America

For America, a national health premium would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system that is already in place. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. There would be both worker and employer contribution. Similar to much of federal military, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the system should be outsourced by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put us on a level playing field with our larger competitors that can pay for better plans. It would render management much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and Medicare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would make simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than going through the complex (and ineffective) theater of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would be improved comprehension about benefits by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to interpret the complexities of current options. And there would certainly be less liability for employers since we wouldn't would be privy to our employees' medical records for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that public institutions has a significant role in society, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It represents superior, easier system for small businesses which hire more than half of the country's workers and generate half the economic output. It makes it possible for workers to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Exist a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. Given rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation is not working very well. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, despite increased taxation that would be incurred, would still be a superior and more affordable strategy for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care 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 in this current situation could be that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and agree that major reforms need to happen.