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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. ACA. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. HDHP. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average employee. Selecting the appropriate medical coverage for companies – or for households – appears to require demands a PhD in medical insurance.

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

Based on a recent study, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $17,000 per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Now federal operations is shut down because political disagreements regarding subsidies that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we seriously consider a national health insurance program here in America? I have to believe we're approaching that point since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare system – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure remains intact. The way our healthcare providers get paid changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from employees and employers. In similar programs, a worker making moderate income must contribute about 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer pays about 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you compare that with what the typical US resident spends. I can name multiple businesses that are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. Remember that with comprehensive systems, those payments include pension plans, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting medical services. When including those costs versus our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Execution for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a system that is already in place. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. There would be both worker and company payments. And, like many federal defense, technology, social programs and transportation services, the program should be outsourced by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for entrepreneurs like mine. It would place us on a level playing field with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would make management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would make simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, rather than enduring the complicated (and fruitless) process of bargaining with major insurers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits by our employees – contrasted with existing arrangements where they have 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 purposes of risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in society, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It represents superior, simpler approach for entrepreneurs which hire more than half of American employees and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. Given all the healthcare cost increases experienced recently, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working very well. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes required, would remain a superior and more affordable strategy 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. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. We rank well below many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, according to major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect in this current situation could be that we take serious examination in the mirror and agree that big changes are necessary.