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Deductibles. In-network. Out-of-network. Concierge medical services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. ACA. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average employee. Choosing the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – seems like it requires a PhD in healthcare.

The Medical System Is More Than Complex, It's Costly

Based on a recent study, the average family pays $twenty-seven thousand annually for their health insurance (increasing by 6% from last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to surpass $17,000 per employee by 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Currently federal operations is shut down due to political disagreements regarding subsidies which analysts predict will lead to a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

When will we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer because this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way our healthcare providers get paid changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would need payments from both employees and employers. In similar programs, a worker earning average wages pays about 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer pays about 13.75%.

Does this seem like a lot? Unless you contrast it to what average US resident spends. I know dozens of clients who are easily contributing anywhere from 8% to 15% of payroll costs for medical benefits. Remember that with comprehensive systems, those payments include retirement benefits, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits in addition to funding healthcare facilities. When including those costs versus what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both an employee and employer contribution. And, like many federal military, technology, social programs and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would render management significantly simpler (a payroll deduction remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, instead of individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler for us to budget our yearly costs, instead of enduring the complicated (and ineffective) process of negotiating with major insurers that we must do each year. Due to simplification, there would exist improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for companies since we wouldn't have access to our employees' medical records for purposes of weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in society, from providing defense to funding needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for small businesses that employ more than half of American employees and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. Given rising medical expenses we've seen in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where big changes are easier to implement. But expanding universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes required, would remain a superior and more affordable strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality in the world, according to major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect in this current situation could be that we take serious examination in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes need to happen.