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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? You should be. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average employee. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – appears to require demands advanced expertise in healthcare.

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

According to recent research, the average family spends $twenty-seven thousand annually on medical coverage (up 6% compared to last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is projected to surpass $17,000 for each worker by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Now federal operations is shut down because 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 universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to include all citizens. The existing system doesn't change. The way medical professionals receive payment changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

The Way Universal Coverage Could Function

A national health insurance program would need contributions from both employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee making average wages pays approximately five point three percent to their healthcare. Their employer must contribute about 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you contrast that with what the typical US resident spends. I know multiple clients that are routinely paying between 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that in comprehensive systems, those payments also cover pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits along with supporting medical services. 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

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It should be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. There would be both worker and employer contribution. And, like much of federal military, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than a government office.

Advantages for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors that can pay for superior coverage. It would make management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and Medicare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would enable simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of going through the complicated (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with major insurers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding of coverage among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complications of current options. Additionally there would certainly be less liability for companies since we wouldn't have access to our employees' medical records for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that public institutions has a significant role in our lives, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for small businesses which hire more than half of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. Given rising medical expenses experienced recently, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning very well. And I realize that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a better and less expensive strategy for not only managing medical expenses but providing access for all citizens.

Time for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank significantly behind numerous nations with the best healthcare globally, according to comprehensive research. Perhaps a bright spot amid current situation could be that we take serious examination at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.