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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. HDHP. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the right medical coverage for our business – or for our families – seems like it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

Our Medical System Is More Than Complex, It's Expensive

According to recent research, the average family pays $27,000 each year for their health insurance (increasing by 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand for each worker by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning because partisan disputes regarding tax credits that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're approaching that point since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare system – an established insurance framework – merely extend to include all citizens. The existing system doesn't change. How medical professionals receive payment changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need contributions from workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee earning moderate income pays about five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you compare it to what average US resident spends. I know dozens of clients that are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that in inclusive programs, those payments also cover pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits in addition to funding medical services. When you add these expenses compared with what we pay on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation in the US

For America, a national health premium would increase existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. There would be both worker and employer contribution. Similar to much of our government's military, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the program could be managed by private contractors instead of a government office.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would put us on a level playing field with our larger competitors that can pay for better plans. It would make management much easier (a payroll deduction remitted like retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, rather than enduring the complex (and fruitless) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would exist improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complexities of existing plans. Additionally there would certainly be less liability for companies as we no longer have access to workers' medical records for weighing risks and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that government has a significant role in society, including national security to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses which hire the majority of American employees and fund half the economic output. It enables employees to be healthier, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with rising medical expenses we've seen in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning very well. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. However extending Medicare for all, even with increased taxation required, would remain a superior and less expensive approach for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. We rank well below numerous nations with the best healthcare globally, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect in this present circumstances is that we undertake serious examination at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.