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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. ACA. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. HRA. EOB. COBRA. SHOP. Single coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Choosing the appropriate medical coverage for companies – or for our families – seems like it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

Our Healthcare System Isn't Just Complex, It Is Costly

Based on recent research, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand each year for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand for each worker by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now the government has ceased functioning because political disagreements regarding subsidies which analysts predict could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

When will we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I'm convinced we're approaching that point because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way medical professionals receive payment would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.

The Way Universal Coverage Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from employees and employers. In comparable systems, an employee earning moderate income pays approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you contrast that with what the typical American pays. I can name dozens of businesses who are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that with comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with supporting medical services. When including these expenses compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

In the US, a national health premium would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework 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 worker and employer contribution. Similar to many our government's defense, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the program should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a huge benefit for small businesses such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would render management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler for us to budget our yearly costs, instead of enduring the complex (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with major insurers required annually every year. Because it's simplified, there would be improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to interpret the complexities of current options. And there would definitely exist less liability for companies as we no longer would be privy to our employees' health histories 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 our lives, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system strengthens economic foundations. It represents superior, easier system for small businesses that employ more than half of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Certainly. Given rising medical expenses we've seen recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a better and more affordable strategy for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, must reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. We rank well below many other countries with the best healthcare globally, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot in this current situation is that we take a hard look at ourselves and agree that major reforms need to happen.