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Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. PPO. EPO. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Premium tax credits.

Baffled? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical employee. Choosing the right healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – seems like demands a PhD in medical insurance.

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

According to a recent study, typical households spends $twenty-seven thousand each year for their health insurance (up 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $17,000 per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Now the government is shut down due to partisan disputes regarding tax credits that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage here in America? I have to believe we're getting closer since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing government-run medicine. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. The way medical professionals receive payment changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

How National Health Insurance Could Function

A national health insurance program would need payments from both employees and employers. In comparable systems, an employee making average wages must contribute approximately 5.3% toward medical coverage. The company must contribute approximately 13.75%.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you compare that with what the typical American pays. I can name dozens of clients who are easily contributing anywhere from eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages for medical benefits. Remember that in comprehensive systems, these contributions include retirement benefits, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting healthcare facilities. When you add those costs versus what we pay on retirement programs, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Implementation 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 those earning less. This includes both an employee and company payments. Similar to much of federal defense, IT, welfare services and infrastructure, the program should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than federal agencies.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage represents a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would place us on a level playing field with our larger competitors that can pay for better plans. It would make administration significantly simpler (a payroll deduction remitted like social security and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier for us to budget our yearly costs, rather than enduring the complicated (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with major insurers required annually every year. Due to simplification, there would exist a better understanding of coverage among workers – contrasted with the current system which require them to interpret the complexities of existing plans. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for companies as we no longer have access to workers' medical records for weighing risks and different options.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in our lives, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for small businesses which hire more than half of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It enables for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I'm not addressing? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses experienced in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation is not working very well. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country 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 less expensive strategy both for managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Honest Assessment

As Americans, must tone down national pride. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank well below many other countries with the best healthcare globally, based on comprehensive research. Perhaps a positive aspect in this current situation is that we take serious examination at ourselves and agree that major reforms need to happen.