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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. POS. HDHP. HSA. FSA. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – seems like demands advanced expertise in healthcare.

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

According to a recent study, the average family pays $27,000 annually for their health insurance (increasing by 6% from last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand for each worker by 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Currently federal operations has ceased functioning because political disagreements over tax credits which analysts predict will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Might We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I'm convinced we're approaching that point since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. The existing system remains intact. The way our healthcare providers get paid changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require contributions from workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker making moderate income pays about 5.3% toward medical coverage. The company must contribute about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Unless you contrast it to what average US resident spends. I know multiple businesses that are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, those payments include pension plans, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to funding medical services. When including these expenses versus our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

For America, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than those earning less. This includes both worker and employer contribution. Similar to much of federal defense, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the program should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than a government office.

Benefits for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors that can pay for superior coverage. It would render management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than enduring the complex (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding about benefits by our employees – contrasted with existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complexities of existing plans. And there would certainly be less liability for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' health histories for purposes of risk assessment and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in our lives, including national security to supporting essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses that employ the majority of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Exist a million considerations I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation is not working very well. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes required, would remain a superior and less expensive strategy both for controlling healthcare costs but providing access to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, based on comprehensive research. Perhaps a bright spot in this present circumstances could be that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.