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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? You should be. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical worker. Choosing the appropriate medical coverage for our business – or for our families – seems like demands a PhD in medical insurance.

The Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Expensive

Based on recent research, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand each year on medical coverage (increasing by 6% from last year). The average employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $17,000 for each worker by 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Currently the government is shut down because political disagreements regarding tax credits which analysts predict will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider National Health Insurance?

When will we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How our healthcare providers get paid changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker making average wages pays about 5.3% toward medical coverage. The company pays about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Unless you contrast that with what the typical US resident spends. I can name dozens of businesses that are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that in inclusive programs, these contributions include pension plans, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to funding medical services. When including these expenses compared with what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Implementation in the US

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework that is already in place. It ought to be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would pay more than those earning less. There would be both worker and company payments. Similar to many federal defense, IT, social programs and transportation services, the program could be managed by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would place us on a level playing field with our larger competitors who can afford better plans. It would render administration much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, instead of enduring the complicated (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding of coverage by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complications of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for companies as we no longer would be privy to our employees' health histories for weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs that employ the majority of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced recently, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning effectively. And I realize that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where big changes are easier to implement. But expanding universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a superior and less expensive strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, must tone down our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. The US places significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality globally, based on comprehensive research. Perhaps a positive aspect amid present circumstances could be that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and agree that big changes need to happen.