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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. HRA. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average employee. Selecting the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – seems like it requires a PhD in healthcare.

Our Medical System Isn't Just Complex, It Is Costly

According to a recent study, typical households spends $27,000 each year on medical coverage (increasing by 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $17,000 per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning due to political disagreements over tax credits which analysts predict could cause a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we seriously consider a national health insurance program in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare system – an established insurance framework – simply expand to include all citizens. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee earning average wages must contribute approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer pays approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you contrast that with what average US resident spends. I know multiple clients that are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, those payments include pension plans, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection along with supporting healthcare facilities. When including those costs compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, 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 ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. There would be both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to much of federal defense, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the program could be managed to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would put us on a level playing field with our larger competitors that can pay for superior coverage. It would render administration much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, rather than separate payments to benefit firms and insurance providers).

It would make it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, instead of going through the complicated (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with major insurers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding of coverage by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complexities of current options. And there would certainly be reduced responsibility for companies as we no longer have access to our employees' medical records for risk assessment and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in our lives, including national security to supporting essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage to all via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for small businesses that employ the majority of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Exist a million considerations I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with rising medical expenses we've seen recently, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning effectively. And I realize that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, despite increased taxation required, would remain a better and more affordable strategy both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to tone down national pride. 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. Perhaps a bright spot in this current situation could be that we take a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.