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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average employee. Choosing the right medical coverage for companies – or for our families – appears to require demands a PhD in medical insurance.

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

According to recent research, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand each year for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to surpass $seventeen thousand for each worker in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes over tax credits that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage here in America? I'm convinced we're approaching that point because this situation is unsustainable.

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

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

A national health insurance program would require contributions from both workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker making moderate income must contribute about five point three percent toward medical coverage. Their employer pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Unless you compare that with what average American pays. I can name dozens of businesses who are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, these contributions also cover retirement benefits, illness coverage, parental benefits and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting healthcare facilities. When including those costs versus what we pay on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. There would be both worker and company payments. Similar to much of federal military, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the system should be outsourced by private contractors rather than a government office.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would put small companies in equal competition against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would make administration much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to retirement and Medicare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, rather than enduring the complicated (and ineffective) process of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits among workers – contrasted with existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complexities of existing plans. And there would definitely exist less liability for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' health histories for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that government play important functions in society, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare enhances 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 makes it possible for workers to be healthier, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced recently, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. I understand that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding Medicare for all, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a superior and less expensive approach both for controlling healthcare costs but providing access for all citizens.

Time for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one bright spot amid present circumstances could be that we take a hard look in the mirror and agree that major reforms are necessary.