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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. SHOP. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? It's understandable. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – seems like demands a PhD in medical insurance.

The Healthcare System Isn't Just Complex, It Is Costly

According to recent research, the average family spends $27,000 annually for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). The average employer health insurance cost is expected to surpass $seventeen thousand for each worker by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Currently federal operations is shut down because partisan disputes over subsidies that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're approaching that point because this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need contributions from both employees and employers. In similar programs, a worker earning average wages must contribute approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. The company pays 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 easily contributing between 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, those payments also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection along with funding healthcare facilities. When including those costs versus what we pay on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a framework that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. There would be both worker and employer contribution. And, like many our government's military, technology, social programs and infrastructure, the program should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Benefits for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would place us on a level playing field with our larger competitors who can afford better plans. It would make management much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than separate payments to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler to plan expenses our yearly costs, rather than going through the complex (and fruitless) process of negotiating with major insurers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding of coverage by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complications of current options. And there would definitely exist less liability for companies as we no longer have access to workers' health histories for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in society, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs that employ the majority of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Exist numerous factors I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning effectively. And I realize that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes required, would still be a better and more affordable strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. The US places well below numerous nations with the best healthcare in the world, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect amid present circumstances could be that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and agree that big changes are necessary.