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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Not the typical business owner. Nor the typical worker. Choosing the right medical coverage for companies – or for our families – seems like demands advanced expertise in healthcare.

The Medical System Isn't Just Complicated, It Is Expensive

According to recent research, typical households pays $27,000 annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand for each worker by 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Now the government is shut down because partisan disputes over tax credits that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

When will we seriously consider 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 program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. The way medical professionals get paid would change. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Would Work

A national health insurance program would need payments from employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker making average wages must contribute about five point three percent toward medical coverage. The company pays about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear like a lot? Unless you compare that with what the typical American pays. I know multiple businesses who are routinely paying between eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs for medical benefits. Remember that with inclusive programs, these contributions also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to supporting medical services. When including these expenses versus our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. There would be both an employee and employer contribution. And, like many federal defense, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the system could be managed to third-party administrators instead of a government office.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for better plans. It would make management much easier (a payroll deduction remitted like social security and Medicare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would make simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complicated (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with major insurers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would be improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – contrasted with existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complications of current options. Additionally there would certainly be reduced responsibility for companies since we wouldn't have access to our employees' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in our lives, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, easier system for small businesses which hire more than half of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It enables employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Exist numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses experienced in recent years, it's evident that current healthcare legislation is not working very well. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where big changes can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes required, would still be a superior and less expensive strategy both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must tone down national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places well below numerous nations with the best healthcare globally, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect amid current situation is that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and agree that big changes are necessary.