Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.
Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends this complex system? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average worker. Choosing the appropriate medical coverage for companies – or for households – appears to require demands a PhD in healthcare.
Our Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Expensive
According to a recent study, typical households spends $twenty-seven thousand each year on medical coverage (up 6% from last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.
Currently federal operations is shut down because political disagreements regarding tax credits which analysts predict could cause a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.
When Will We Truly Examine National Health Insurance?
When will we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage 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 advocating for our current Medicare system – an established insurance framework – merely extend to cover everyone. The existing system doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers get paid changes. Believe me, they will adjust.
How Universal Coverage Could Function
A national health insurance program would require contributions from both employees and employers. In similar programs, a worker making average wages must contribute about 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute about 13.75%.
Does this seem like a lot? Unless you compare that with what the typical American pays. I know multiple clients that are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. Remember that in inclusive programs, these contributions include retirement benefits, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection along with funding healthcare facilities. When you add those costs versus what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.
Implementation in the US
For America, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It should be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would pay more than those earning less. There would be both an employee and company payments. And, like much of our government's military, technology, social programs and transportation services, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.
Benefits for Entrepreneurs
Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford better plans. It would render management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).
It would enable simpler to plan expenses our yearly costs, rather than going through the complicated (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with major insurers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding about benefits among workers – contrasted with existing arrangements which require them to interpret the complexities of existing plans. And there would definitely exist less liability for employers as we no longer have access to workers' medical records for risk assessment and different options.
Free-Market Viewpoint
I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that public institutions has a significant role in our lives, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, easier system for entrepreneurs that employ more than half of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, have better attendance and increase productivity.
Addressing Concerns
Exist a million considerations I'm not addressing? Certainly. Given rising medical expenses experienced in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning very well. I understand that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a superior and less expensive approach for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.
Need for Honest Assessment
As Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect amid current situation could be that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and agree that big changes are necessary.
