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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. Point of Service. HDHP. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends this complex system? Not the typical business owner. Neither the average employee. Selecting the appropriate medical coverage for companies – or for our families – seems like demands a PhD in medical insurance.

The Healthcare System Isn't Just Complicated, It Is Expensive

According to a recent study, typical households spends $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand for each worker by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Currently federal operations has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes over subsidies that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Might We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're approaching that point since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How our healthcare providers get paid changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would require payments from both workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker earning average wages must contribute about 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you contrast that with what average US resident spends. I can name multiple businesses that are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. Remember that with comprehensive systems, these contributions include pension plans, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection along with funding medical services. When you add these expenses versus what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

For America, a national health premium would increase existing Medicare taxes, a framework that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to much of federal military, technology, social programs and infrastructure, the system could be managed by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would render management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would make simpler to plan expenses our yearly costs, instead of enduring the complex (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits among workers – contrasted with existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complications of current options. And there would certainly be less liability for employers since we wouldn't have access to our employees' medical records for purposes of risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. But I've learned that government play important functions in our lives, including national security to supporting essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, easier system for small businesses that employ the majority of the country's workers and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. I understand that America isn't a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, even with increased taxation required, would still be a superior and less expensive strategy both for controlling healthcare costs but providing access for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. The US places significantly behind numerous nations with the best healthcare in the world, according to major studies. Perhaps a bright spot amid present circumstances could be that we take a hard look at ourselves and agree that big changes are necessary.