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Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. ACA. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Selecting the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – seems like it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

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

Based on recent research, the average family spends $27,000 each year for their health insurance (increasing by 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently federal operations has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes regarding tax credits which analysts predict could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

When will we seriously consider a national health insurance program here in America? I have to believe we're approaching that point because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. The existing system remains intact. How our healthcare providers get paid would change. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from both employees and employers. In similar programs, a worker 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? Unless you contrast that with what average American pays. I know multiple clients that are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that in inclusive programs, those payments include pension plans, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection along with supporting healthcare facilities. When including those costs compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. There would be both worker and employer contribution. And, like many our government's military, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the program should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a significant advantage for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would render 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 simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of going through the complex (and ineffective) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers required annually every year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding of coverage by our employees – as opposed to the current system where they have to interpret the complexities of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist reduced responsibility for employers as we no longer have access to our employees' medical records for purposes of risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. But I've learned that government has a significant role in our lives, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, easier system for small businesses that employ more than half of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It enables for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Exist a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, despite increased taxation required, would remain a superior and less expensive approach for not only controlling healthcare costs but providing access for all citizens.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must tone down our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places significantly behind numerous nations with the best healthcare in the world, according to major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect amid present circumstances could be that we undertake serious examination in the mirror and agree that big changes need to happen.