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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. SHOP. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Not the typical business owner. Neither the average employee. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – seems like it requires advanced expertise in medical insurance.

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

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

Now the government is shut down because political disagreements over tax credits which analysts predict could cause a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're approaching that point because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to include all citizens. The existing system doesn't change. How our healthcare providers get paid changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

A national health insurance program would require contributions from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, a worker earning moderate income pays about 5.3% to their healthcare. The company pays approximately 13.75%.

Does this appear like a lot? Not if you compare it to what average American pays. I know multiple businesses that are routinely paying between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that in comprehensive systems, those payments include pension plans, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When including these expenses versus what we pay on retirement programs, job loss coverage and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Execution for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and company payments. And, like many federal military, IT, social programs and infrastructure, the program could be managed to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Advantages for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a huge benefit for small businesses such as my company. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would render administration much easier (a payroll deduction remitted like social security and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler for us to budget our yearly costs, 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 a better understanding about benefits by our employees – as opposed to the current system where they have to decipher the complications of current options. And there would certainly be reduced responsibility for employers as we no longer would be privy to our employees' health histories for purposes of risk assessment and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. However I recognize that public institutions has a significant role in our lives, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone through a national insurance system strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for small businesses that employ the majority of American employees and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible for workers to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. Given all the healthcare cost increases experienced recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation is not working very well. I understand that America isn't a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes required, would still be a superior and less expensive strategy for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, must reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. We rank well below many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, according to comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect amid current situation is that we take a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.