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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. SHOP. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average worker. Selecting the right medical coverage for our business – or for our families – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

The Healthcare System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Costly

Based on a recent study, the average family spends $27,000 annually for their health insurance (increasing by 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $17,000 for each worker by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Currently the government is shut down because political disagreements regarding subsidies that experts say will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program in the United States? I'm convinced we're getting closer because this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way medical professionals receive payment would change. Believe me, they will adjust.

How National Health Insurance Would Work

A national health insurance program would require payments from workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee earning moderate income must contribute approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. The company pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear like a lot? Unless you compare that with what the typical US resident spends. I know multiple businesses who are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in inclusive programs, these contributions include pension plans, illness coverage, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with supporting medical services. When including these expenses versus our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It ought to be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and company payments. And, like much of our government's defense, IT, social programs and transportation services, the system could be managed by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford better plans. It would make management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier for us to budget our yearly costs, instead of going through the complicated (and ineffective) theater of negotiating with major insurers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding about benefits by our employees – as opposed to the current system where they have to interpret the complications of current options. And there would definitely exist less liability for employers as we no longer have access to our employees' health histories for purposes of risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, easier system for small businesses which hire the majority of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It enables employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Exist a million considerations I'm not addressing? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses experienced in recent years, it's evident that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. And I realize that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, despite increased taxation required, would still be a better and more affordable approach for not only managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't so great. The US places well below many other countries in healthcare quality globally, based on comprehensive research. Perhaps a positive aspect in this present circumstances could be that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes are necessary.