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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average employee. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

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

According to recent research, the average family spends $twenty-seven thousand each year for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $17,000 per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning due to political disagreements regarding tax credits that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

When will we seriously consider a national health insurance program in the United States? I'm convinced we're getting closer since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. The existing system remains intact. The way our healthcare providers receive payment would change. Believe me, they will adjust.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker earning moderate income must contribute approximately five point three percent to their healthcare. Their employer pays about 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you compare it to what the typical US resident spends. I know dozens of businesses who are routinely paying between 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in inclusive programs, those payments include pension plans, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with supporting healthcare facilities. When including these expenses compared with what we pay on retirement programs, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Implementation in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a system that is already in place. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. There would be both worker and company payments. Similar to much of federal military, technology, social programs and infrastructure, the system could be managed by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage would be a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would place us on a level playing field with our larger competitors that can pay for superior coverage. It would make management much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and Medicare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of going through the complicated (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with major insurers required annually every year. Because it's simplified, there would be improved comprehension about benefits among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complexities of existing plans. Additionally there would certainly be less liability for employers since we wouldn't would be privy to our employees' health histories for purposes of risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market 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 for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, simpler approach for small businesses that employ more than half of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to enjoy better health, come to work more often and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. I understand that we're not a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, even with increased taxation required, would still be a better and more affordable strategy for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. The US places well below many other countries in healthcare quality globally, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect amid current situation is that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.