🔗 Share this article

Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

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

The Medical System Is More Than Complex, It Is Costly

Based on recent research, the average family pays $27,000 annually for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is expected to surpass $17,000 for each worker in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes over tax credits that experts say could cause 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 in the United States? I'm convinced we're approaching that point since this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. The way medical professionals receive payment would change. Trust me, they will adjust.

How National Health Insurance Would Work

A national health insurance program would need payments from workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker earning moderate income must contribute approximately five point three percent to their healthcare. The company pays about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Unless you contrast it to what the typical US resident spends. I know dozens of clients who are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that in comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When including these expenses versus what we pay on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Execution for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It ought to be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. This includes both worker and employer contribution. Similar to many our government's defense, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the program could be managed to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would put us on a level playing field with our larger competitors who can afford better plans. It would make management much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than going through the complicated (and fruitless) process of bargaining with major insurers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complications of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' medical records for purposes of weighing risks and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. However I recognize that government has a significant role in our lives, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage to all through a national insurance system enhances economic foundations. It represents superior, easier system for entrepreneurs that employ the majority of American employees and fund half of our GDP. It enables for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Exist numerous factors I'm not addressing? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. However extending Medicare for all, despite increased taxation required, would still be a superior and more affordable approach for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. The US places well below many other countries in healthcare quality globally, based on major studies. Maybe one positive aspect in this current situation is that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and agree that major reforms need to happen.