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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – appears to require it requires a PhD in healthcare.

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

Based on recent research, typical households spends $27,000 annually for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $17,000 for each worker by 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Now federal operations has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes regarding tax credits which analysts predict will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I'm convinced we're approaching that point because this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare program – an established insurance framework – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. The way medical professionals receive payment would change. Believe me, they'll adapt.

The Way National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would require payments from both workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee making moderate income must contribute approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you compare that with what the typical American pays. I know multiple clients who are routinely paying between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages for medical benefits. And keep in mind that with inclusive programs, those payments include pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits in addition to funding medical services. When including these expenses compared with what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Execution for America

In the US, a national health premium would raise existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and company payments. And, like much of federal military, technology, social programs and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors that can pay for superior coverage. It would make management much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of going through the complex (and ineffective) theater of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding about benefits among workers – contrasted with the current system where they have to decipher the complexities of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for employers since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' medical records for weighing risks and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in our lives, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses that employ more than half of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It enables employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Exist a million considerations I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases 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 Medicare for all, despite increased taxation required, would still be a better and more affordable approach for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, must tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality globally, according to major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect amid current situation is that we undertake serious examination in the mirror and agree that big changes need to happen.