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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical business owner. Nor the typical worker. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – seems like it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

The Healthcare System Is More Than Complex, It's Costly

Based on recent research, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (increasing by 6% compared to last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $17,000 per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now the government is shut down due to political disagreements regarding tax credits that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

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

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. How medical professionals get paid changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

The Way National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would need contributions from both workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker earning moderate income pays approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. The company pays about 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you contrast it to what average US resident spends. I know multiple businesses who are routinely paying between 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that with comprehensive systems, these contributions include retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection along with supporting medical services. When including those costs versus what we pay on retirement programs, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

For America, a national health premium would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. There would be both worker and employer contribution. Similar to much of federal military, IT, social programs and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford better plans. It would make administration significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler for us to budget our yearly costs, instead of going through the complex (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding about benefits by our employees – contrasted with existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complications of current options. And there would definitely exist less liability for employers since we wouldn't have access to our employees' medical records for weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as they get. However I recognize that public institutions has a significant role in society, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage to all via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for small businesses that employ more than half of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It enables employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Exist a million considerations I'm not addressing? Certainly. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation is not working effectively. I understand that we're not a compact European nation where big changes are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, even with increased taxation that would be incurred, would still be a superior and less expensive approach both for managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to tone down national pride. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank well below many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, based on major studies. Maybe one positive aspect in this current situation could be that we take a hard look in the mirror and agree that major reforms need to happen.