🔗 Share this article

Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. SHOP. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends this complex system? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in medical insurance.

The Healthcare System Isn't Just Complicated, It's Costly

According to recent research, typical households spends $27,000 each year on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Now the government is shut down because partisan disputes over tax credits that experts say 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 proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – merely extend to cover everyone. Our infrastructure remains intact. How medical professionals receive payment would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.

The Way National Health Insurance Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would need contributions from both workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker earning moderate income pays about 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Unless you contrast that with what the typical American pays. I know dozens of clients that are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that with comprehensive systems, these contributions include pension plans, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to supporting healthcare facilities. When you add these expenses versus our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Implementation for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would pay more than those earning less. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to many federal defense, IT, social programs and infrastructure, the program should be outsourced by private contractors rather than a government office.

Advantages for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would place us on a level playing field with our larger competitors that can pay for better plans. It would render management much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler to plan expenses our yearly costs, instead of enduring the complicated (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with major insurers required annually each year. Due to simplification, there would exist improved comprehension of coverage among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complexities of current options. Additionally there would certainly be less liability for employers as we no longer have access to workers' medical records for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in our lives, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It enables employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Exist numerous factors I haven't covered? Certainly. But with rising medical expenses experienced in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act is not working very well. I understand that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms are easier to implement. However extending Medicare for all, even with increased taxation that would be incurred, would remain a superior and more affordable approach for not only managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must tone down national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places well below many other countries with the best healthcare globally, based on major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect in this current situation is that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.