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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? It's understandable. Who comprehends this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Choosing the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for households – seems like it requires a PhD in healthcare.

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

According to a recent study, typical households spends $twenty-seven thousand each year for their health insurance (increasing by 6% compared to last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now the government is shut down due to partisan disputes over tax credits which analysts predict will lead to premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?

When will we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program in the United States? I have to believe we're approaching that point because this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. Our infrastructure remains intact. The way medical professionals receive payment would change. Trust me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker earning moderate income must contribute about 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer pays about 13.75%.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you contrast it to what the typical American pays. I know dozens of clients that are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. And keep in mind that in inclusive programs, these contributions include retirement benefits, sick pay, parental benefits and job loss protection along with funding healthcare facilities. When including those costs versus our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Implementation for America

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It ought to be means-based – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. There would be both an employee and employer contribution. And, like many federal military, technology, social programs and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced by private contractors instead of a government office.

Advantages for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors that can pay for superior coverage. It would make management much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would make simpler for us to budget our yearly costs, instead of enduring the complicated (and ineffective) theater of negotiating with major insurers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complications of existing plans. And there would definitely exist less liability for companies since we wouldn't have access to our employees' medical records for weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in society, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare strengthens our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, simpler approach for small businesses which hire more than half of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It enables employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I'm not addressing? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's evident that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes required, would still be a superior and less expensive approach both for controlling healthcare costs but providing access to everyone.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. 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 present circumstances is that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes are necessary.