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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? You should be. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Choosing the appropriate medical coverage for companies – or for households – seems like it requires a PhD in healthcare.

The Medical System Is More Than Complex, It Is Costly

Based on 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 expected to surpass $17,000 for each worker in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Now the government is shut down due to political disagreements regarding subsidies which analysts predict will lead to a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program in the United States? I have to believe we're approaching that point since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare system – an established insurance framework – merely extend to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. The way medical professionals get paid changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from employees and employers. In comparable systems, a worker earning moderate income pays approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear like a lot? Unless you contrast that with what the typical US resident spends. I know dozens of clients that are routinely paying between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that in inclusive programs, these contributions include retirement benefits, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to supporting healthcare facilities. When including those costs versus our current spending for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Execution in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. There would be both an employee and company payments. Similar to much of federal defense, IT, social programs and transportation services, the system could be managed by private contractors instead of a government office.

Advantages for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be 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 make management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier for us to budget annual expenditures, rather than enduring 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 by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to interpret 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 purposes of risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as possible. But I've learned that government play important functions in society, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage to all via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It represents superior, simpler approach for entrepreneurs which hire more than half of the country's workers and generate half the economic output. 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? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. And I realize that America isn't a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, even with increased taxation required, would remain a superior and more affordable approach both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. The US places well below numerous nations in healthcare quality globally, based on major studies. Perhaps a bright spot in this current situation could be that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and agree that big changes need to happen.