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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who comprehends this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the right medical coverage for companies – or for our families – appears to require demands a PhD in healthcare.

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

Based on a recent study, the average family spends $twenty-seven thousand each year on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is projected to surpass $seventeen thousand for each worker in 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Now the government has ceased functioning because political disagreements over subsidies which analysts predict will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. How medical professionals get paid changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

A national health insurance program would need contributions from both employees and employers. In comparable systems, an employee making average wages must contribute about 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you contrast that with what average US resident spends. I can name multiple businesses who are routinely paying anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that with comprehensive systems, these contributions include pension plans, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When you add those costs versus our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Execution for America

For America, a national health premium would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. There would be both an employee and company payments. And, like much of our government's defense, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the program could be managed by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would put us on a level playing field with our larger competitors that can pay for superior coverage. It would make administration significantly simpler (a payroll deduction remitted like retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than going through the complex (and ineffective) process of negotiating with major insurers required annually every year. Due to simplification, there would be improved comprehension of coverage among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complications of current options. And there would definitely exist less liability for employers as we no longer have access to workers' medical records for purposes of weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in society, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone through a national insurance system strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses which hire the majority of the country's workers and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning very well. I understand that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms are easier to implement. However extending Medicare for all, despite increased taxation that would be incurred, would remain a superior and more affordable strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs but providing access for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, must tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. The US places significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality globally, based on major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect in this current situation is that we take serious examination at ourselves and agree that big changes need to happen.