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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. HDHP. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Not the typical business owner. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for our families – appears to require it requires a PhD in healthcare.

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

According to a recent study, typical households spends $27,000 each year for their health insurance (increasing by 6% from last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is projected to surpass $17,000 per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Currently federal operations has ceased functioning because political disagreements over subsidies that experts say could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage here in America? I have to believe we're approaching that point because this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers get paid would change. Believe me, they'll adapt.

The Way National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would need payments from both workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker earning moderate income must contribute about 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear like a lot? Not if you compare it to what the typical American pays. I know multiple businesses who are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that with inclusive programs, those payments include retirement benefits, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with funding medical services. When you add these expenses compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution in the US

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a system that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. And, like much of our government's defense, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the program could be managed to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford better plans. It would make management much easier (a payroll deduction remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses our yearly costs, rather than going through the complex (and fruitless) theater 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 the current system which require them to interpret the complications of current options. Additionally there would certainly be less liability for employers as we no longer would be privy to workers' medical records for weighing risks and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that government has a significant role in society, including national security to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage to all through a national insurance system strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for small businesses that employ more than half of American employees and generate half the economic output. It enables employees to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses we've seen recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. However extending Medicare for all, despite increased taxation required, would still be a better and more affordable approach both for managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect amid present circumstances could be that we take a hard look at ourselves and agree that major reforms are necessary.