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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. HRA. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average employee. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – appears to require demands a PhD in healthcare.

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

According to recent research, the average family spends $27,000 annually for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to surpass $17,000 per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Currently the government is shut down because political disagreements over subsidies that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I'm convinced we're getting closer since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. The way our healthcare providers receive payment would change. Believe me, they will adjust.

How National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require contributions from workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker earning average wages must contribute about 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Unless you contrast it to what average American pays. I can name multiple businesses who are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that in inclusive programs, those payments also cover pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection along with funding healthcare facilities. When you add those costs compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a system that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and company payments. Similar to many our government's defense, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the system could be managed to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put us on a level playing field with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would render administration significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of going through the complicated (and ineffective) process of bargaining with major insurers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding of coverage by our employees – contrasted with existing arrangements which require them to interpret the complications of current options. And there would certainly be reduced responsibility for employers as we no longer would be privy to our employees' medical records for weighing risks and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as possible. But I've learned that government play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It represents superior, simpler approach for entrepreneurs that employ more than half of American employees and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Exist numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses experienced in recent years, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning effectively. I understand that we're not a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, despite increased taxation required, would remain a superior and less expensive approach for not only controlling healthcare costs but providing access for all citizens.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't so great. The US places well below numerous nations in healthcare quality globally, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect amid current situation is that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and agree that major reforms are necessary.