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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. HDHP. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – appears to require demands advanced expertise in healthcare.

Our Medical System Is More Than Complex, It Is Costly

Based on recent research, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand each year for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $17,000 per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Now federal operations has ceased functioning because partisan disputes regarding tax credits that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

When will we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program in the United States? I'm convinced we're getting closer because this can't continue.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare program – an insurance system – merely extend to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way medical professionals get paid changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would need payments from both workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee earning moderate income pays approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you contrast that with what the typical US resident spends. I know multiple clients who are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages for medical benefits. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When you add these expenses compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a framework that is already in place. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. This includes both worker and employer contribution. And, like many our government's military, IT, social programs and transportation services, the program should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would put us on a level playing field with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would make management much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier for us to budget our yearly costs, instead of going through the complicated (and ineffective) process of negotiating with major insurers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would be improved comprehension about benefits by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to interpret the complexities of current options. And there would certainly be less liability for companies as we no longer would be privy to our employees' health histories for purposes of 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, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses which hire more than half of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It enables employees to be healthier, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Exist a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation is not working very well. I understand that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, despite the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a better and less expensive strategy for not only managing medical expenses but providing access for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. The US places significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare globally, according to major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect in this present circumstances is that we take serious examination at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.