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Deductibles. In-network. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. ACA. HMO. PPO. EPO. POS. HDHP. HSA. FSA. HRA. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average worker. Selecting the right medical coverage for our business – or for households – seems like it requires advanced expertise in medical insurance.

Our Healthcare System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Expensive

According to recent research, typical households spends $27,000 each year for their health insurance (increasing by 6% compared to last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is expected to surpass $17,000 per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Now federal operations has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes over subsidies which analysts predict could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I have to believe we're getting closer because this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How our healthcare providers get paid would change. Trust me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Could Function

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

Does this appear like a lot? Unless you compare that with what average American pays. I can name dozens of clients who are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages for medical benefits. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, those payments include retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to supporting medical services. When you add these expenses compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Implementation for America

For America, a national health premium would increase 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 those earning less. There would be both an employee and company payments. Similar to much of federal defense, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the program could be managed by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. It would place small companies in equal competition against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would make administration much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than separate payments to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, instead of enduring the complex (and ineffective) theater of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would be improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – contrasted with existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complications of current options. And there would definitely exist less liability for companies since we wouldn't have access to our employees' health histories for purposes of risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. However I recognize that public institutions has a significant role in our lives, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone through a national insurance system enhances economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for small businesses which hire more than half of American employees and generate half the economic output. It enables employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I'm not addressing? Certainly. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's evident that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning effectively. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes required, would still be a superior and more affordable strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to tone down national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places well below many other countries in healthcare quality globally, according to comprehensive research. Perhaps a positive aspect amid present circumstances is that we take a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that big changes are necessary.