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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. EPO. Point of Service. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. SHOP. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who comprehends all this stuff? Not the typical business owner. Nor the typical worker. Selecting the appropriate medical coverage for our business – or for households – appears to require demands advanced expertise in healthcare.

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

Based on recent research, typical households pays $27,000 annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% from last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is expected to surpass $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Currently the government is shut down due to political disagreements regarding tax credits which analysts predict will lead to premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I'm convinced we're approaching that point because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system doesn't change. The way medical professionals receive payment would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would need payments from workers and companies. In similar programs, a worker making average wages pays approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. The company must contribute about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Unless you compare that with what the typical American pays. I know multiple clients that are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that in inclusive programs, those payments also cover pension plans, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with funding healthcare facilities. When you add these expenses versus our current spending for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

In the US, a national health premium would raise existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It should be income-adjusted – 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 our government's military, technology, welfare services and transportation services, the program could be managed to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program represents a huge benefit for small businesses like mine. It would place small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors that can pay for better plans. It would make administration much easier (a payroll deduction remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses our yearly costs, rather than going through the complicated (and ineffective) process of bargaining with major insurers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would be improved comprehension of coverage among workers – contrasted with the current system where they have to decipher the complexities of current options. And there would certainly be reduced responsibility for employers as we no longer have access to our employees' medical records for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that government has a significant role in society, including national security to funding needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system enhances economic foundations. It represents superior, simpler approach 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, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Exist numerous factors I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases we've seen in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning effectively. And I realize that America isn't 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 better and less expensive approach for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. We rank significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, according to comprehensive research. Perhaps a positive aspect amid present circumstances could be that we take serious examination in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes are necessary.