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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. ACA. HMO. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical business owner. Neither the average worker. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for our business – or for households – seems like it requires advanced expertise in medical insurance.

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

Based on recent research, typical households spends $27,000 each year on medical coverage (increasing by 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $17,000 per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently federal operations has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes regarding tax credits which analysts predict will lead to a doubling of premiums for millions of Americans.

When Will We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

When will we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're approaching that point because this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How our healthcare providers receive payment changes. Trust me, they'll adapt.

The Way Universal Coverage Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from employees and employers. In comparable systems, an employee making moderate income must contribute about 5.3% to their healthcare. The company must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Unless you compare it to what the typical US resident spends. I can name dozens of businesses that are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs for medical benefits. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, these contributions include retirement benefits, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with funding medical services. When including those costs compared with what we pay for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the difference decreases.

Implementation in the US

For America, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a framework that is already in place. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and employer contribution. Similar to many federal military, IT, welfare services and transportation services, the program should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than a government office.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program represents a significant advantage for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for better plans. It would render management much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would enable it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than going through the complicated (and ineffective) theater of negotiating with the big insurance providers required annually each year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding of coverage by our employees – contrasted with the current system which require them to decipher the complications of existing plans. Additionally there would certainly be reduced responsibility for employers as we no longer would be privy to workers' health histories for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as pro-market as they get. However I recognize that public institutions has a significant role in society, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare for everyone via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It represents superior, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire the majority of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to enjoy better health, come to work more often and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Of course there are. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning very well. I understand that America isn't a compact European nation where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending Medicare for all, even with increased taxation required, would remain a better and more affordable strategy for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to tone down our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. 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 take a hard look in the mirror and agree that big changes need to happen.