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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Not the typical entrepreneur. Neither the average employee. Choosing the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – seems like it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

The Medical System Isn't Just Complex, It Is Expensive

Based on recent research, the average family spends $27,000 annually on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $17,000 per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Now the government is shut down due to partisan disputes regarding subsidies which analysts predict could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage here in America? I'm convinced we're approaching that point because this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. The existing system remains intact. How medical professionals get paid changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How Universal Coverage Could Function

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

Does this appear expensive? Not if you contrast that with what average American pays. I can name dozens of businesses that are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that with inclusive programs, these contributions also cover pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When including those costs compared with what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Execution for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system that is already in place. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. There would be both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to many our government's defense, IT, social programs and transportation services, the system could be managed to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents a significant advantage for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would make management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would make simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than enduring the complex (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with major insurers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would be improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – contrasted with the current system where they have to decipher the complications of existing plans. And there would certainly be reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't have access to workers' medical records for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as they get. However I recognize that government play important functions in society, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage to all through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It enables for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Exist numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses we've seen in recent years, it's evident that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a superior and more affordable strategy for not only managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, must reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality globally, based on comprehensive research. Perhaps a positive aspect amid current situation could be that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and agree that big changes are necessary.