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Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Not the typical business owner. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – seems like demands a PhD in healthcare.

The Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It's Expensive

Based on recent research, typical households spends $27,000 annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $17,000 for each worker by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Currently federal operations has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes regarding subsidies that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. How medical professionals get paid changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would need payments from both workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee earning average wages must contribute approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. The company pays about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Unless you contrast it to what the typical American pays. I can name dozens of clients who are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs for medical benefits. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, those payments also cover pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with funding medical services. When you add those costs compared with our current spending on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Implementation for America

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It ought to be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. There would be both worker and employer contribution. And, like much of our government's military, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford better plans. It would make administration much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, instead of individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses our yearly costs, instead of going through the complex (and ineffective) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding of coverage by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complexities of current options. And there would definitely exist less liability for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' medical records for purposes of weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in society, from providing defense to funding needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage to all via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It enables for workers to enjoy better health, come to work more often and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Exist numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with rising medical expenses we've seen 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 universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes required, would remain a better and more affordable approach both for controlling healthcare costs but providing access to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

As Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. The US places well below many other countries with the best healthcare globally, based on major studies. Maybe one bright spot in this present circumstances could be that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and agree that major reforms are necessary.