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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average employee. Selecting the right medical coverage for our business – or for households – seems like demands a PhD in medical insurance.

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

According to a recent study, the average family pays $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). Typical company healthcare expense is projected to surpass $seventeen thousand per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently federal operations is shut down due to partisan disputes over tax credits that experts say will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Might We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're approaching that point because this can't continue.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. The way our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require contributions from both employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee earning average wages pays approximately five point three percent to their healthcare. The company must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Not if you contrast it to what the typical US resident spends. I can name dozens of clients who are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. And keep in mind that with inclusive programs, those payments include pension plans, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to funding medical services. When including those costs versus what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Implementation in the US

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise existing Medicare taxes, a framework that is already in place. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. And, like much of federal defense, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the system should be outsourced by private contractors rather than a government office.

Benefits for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors that can pay for better plans. It would render management much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier for us to budget our yearly costs, instead of going through the complicated (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with major insurers required annually every year. Due to simplification, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits among workers – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complications of existing plans. And there would certainly be reduced responsibility for employers since we wouldn't would be privy to our employees' medical records for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as they get. However I recognize that government play important functions in society, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for small businesses that employ more than half of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It enables for workers to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning effectively. I understand that America isn't a compact European nation where big changes are easier to implement. But expanding Medicare for all, even with increased taxation that would be incurred, would remain a better and more affordable approach both for managing medical expenses but providing access for all citizens.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, according to major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect amid current situation could be that we take a hard look at ourselves and agree that big changes need to happen.