🔗 Share this article

Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average worker. Choosing the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – appears to require demands advanced expertise in medical insurance.

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

According to recent research, typical households spends $27,000 each year on medical coverage (increasing by 6% compared to last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $17,000 for each worker in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently federal operations is shut down due to partisan disputes over tax credits that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I'm convinced we're getting closer since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. The existing system remains intact. How our healthcare providers receive payment would change. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would require contributions from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee making moderate income pays about 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Unless you compare that with what average American pays. I can name multiple businesses who are routinely paying anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that with inclusive programs, those payments include retirement benefits, sick pay, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to supporting medical services. When you add those costs versus what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

In the US, a national health premium would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a system that is already in place. It ought to be means-based – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. There would be both worker and employer contribution. And, like much of federal military, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would render management much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to retirement and Medicare taxes, instead of separate payments to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier for us to budget our yearly costs, rather than enduring the complicated (and fruitless) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually every year. Because it's simplified, there would be improved comprehension about benefits among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them 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 weighing risks and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that government play important functions in society, including national security to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs that employ the majority of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It enables employees to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Exist numerous factors I haven't covered? Certainly. Given rising medical expenses we've seen in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning effectively. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, even with increased taxation that would be incurred, would still be a better and more affordable strategy both for managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank well below numerous nations with the best healthcare globally, according to major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect in this current situation is that we take serious examination in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes are necessary.