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Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? You should be. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average employee. Choosing the right medical coverage for our business – or for households – seems like demands a PhD in medical insurance.

Our Medical System Isn't Just Complicated, It Is Costly

Based on recent research, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $17,000 for each worker in 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Currently the government is shut down because political disagreements over tax credits that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're approaching that point since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – 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 National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would require contributions from workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee making moderate income pays about five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you compare it to what the typical US resident spends. I know dozens of clients who are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, these contributions include retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with funding medical services. When you add these expenses compared with our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, 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 means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than those earning less. There would be both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to much of our government's defense, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the program could be managed to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program 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 much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and Medicare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable simpler for us to budget our yearly costs, rather than going through the complex (and ineffective) process of negotiating with major insurers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits by our employees – contrasted with the current system which require them to decipher the complexities of existing plans. And there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for employers since we wouldn't would be privy to our employees' health histories for risk assessment and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that public institutions has a significant role in society, including national security to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It represents superior, easier system for small businesses that employ more than half of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Exist a million considerations I'm not addressing? Of course there are. Given 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 compact European nation where major reforms are easier to implement. However extending universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a superior and more affordable strategy both for managing medical expenses but providing access for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank well below numerous nations with the best healthcare in the world, according to major studies. Maybe one positive aspect in this current situation could be that we take serious examination in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.