🔗 Share this article

Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Choosing the appropriate medical coverage for companies – or for our families – seems like demands advanced expertise in medical insurance.

The Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Expensive

Based on recent research, the average family spends $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $17,000 for each worker in 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Now federal operations is shut down due to political disagreements over subsidies that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program here in America? I have to believe we're approaching that point because this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. How medical professionals get paid changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How Universal Coverage Could Function

A national health insurance program would require contributions from workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker earning average wages pays approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you compare it to what the typical American pays. I know multiple businesses that are routinely paying between 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, these contributions include pension plans, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to supporting healthcare facilities. When including these expenses versus 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 increase our Medicare tax deduction, a framework already established. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. This includes both an employee and company payments. Similar to many federal 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 would be a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would put small companies in equal competition against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would make administration much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would enable simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, rather than enduring the complex (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with major insurers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding about benefits by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to interpret the complexities of existing plans. And there would certainly be reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't have access to our employees' medical records for purposes of weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in society, including national security to supporting essential systems. 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 the country's workers and generate half the economic output. It enables employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I'm not addressing? Certainly. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's evident that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. And I realize that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes required, would remain a superior and less expensive approach for not only controlling healthcare costs but providing access to everyone.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, according to comprehensive research. Perhaps a bright spot amid present circumstances could be that we take serious examination at ourselves and agree that big changes are necessary.