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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. HRA. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who comprehends this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

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

Based on a recent study, the average family spends $27,000 annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% compared to last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is expected to surpass $17,000 per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Now federal operations is shut down due to political disagreements regarding subsidies which analysts predict will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

When will we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program in the United States? I'm convinced we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How medical professionals get paid would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.

The Way Universal Coverage Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee earning average wages pays approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. The company must contribute about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you compare it to what the typical US resident spends. I know multiple businesses that are routinely paying anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that in inclusive programs, these contributions also cover pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When you add those costs versus our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Implementation for America

For America, a national health premium would raise existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It ought to be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and company payments. Similar to many our government's military, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the system could be managed by private contractors rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put small companies in equal competition against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would render management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of going through the complicated (and fruitless) process of bargaining with the big insurance providers required annually every year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding of coverage by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to interpret the complexities of existing plans. Additionally there would certainly be less liability for companies as we no longer have access to our employees' medical records for purposes of risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in society, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system enhances economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of American employees and fund half the economic output. It enables employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. But with rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning effectively. I understand that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where big changes are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, despite the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a better and more affordable strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places well below many other countries with the best healthcare globally, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect in this present circumstances could be that we undertake serious examination in the mirror and agree that major reforms are necessary.