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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Not the typical business owner. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – seems like it requires a PhD in healthcare.

The Medical System Isn't Just Complicated, It's Expensive

According to recent research, the average family pays $27,000 annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand for each worker in 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning due to political disagreements over tax credits that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we seriously consider a national health insurance program here in America? I have to believe we're getting closer because this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting 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 our healthcare providers receive payment would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.

The Way National Health Insurance Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from both employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee making moderate income must contribute approximately five point three percent to their healthcare. The company pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you contrast that with what the typical US resident spends. I know multiple businesses who are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that with comprehensive systems, those payments also cover retirement benefits, 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, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Execution in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. This includes both worker and employer contribution. Similar to many our government's military, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the system should be outsourced by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program would be a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors that can pay for superior coverage. It would make management much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would make it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than enduring the complex (and ineffective) theater of negotiating with major insurers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding about benefits among workers – contrasted with existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complexities of existing plans. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for companies as we no longer have access to our employees' health histories for risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in society, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses which hire the majority of the country's workers and fund half the economic output. It enables for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Exist numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses we've seen recently, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. 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 that would be incurred, would still be a better and less expensive strategy both for managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Honest Assessment

We 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 globally, according to comprehensive research. Perhaps a positive aspect amid present circumstances is that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.