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Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. EPO. POS. High Deductible Health Plan. Health Savings Account. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. SHOP. Individual coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical employee. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – appears to require demands a PhD in medical insurance.

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

According to recent research, the average family spends $27,000 each year for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $seventeen thousand per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Currently the government is shut down due to political disagreements regarding subsidies which analysts predict could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer since this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare system – an insurance system – merely extend to cover everyone. The existing system doesn't change. How medical professionals receive payment changes. Believe me, they'll adapt.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee making moderate income pays approximately five point three percent toward medical coverage. The company must contribute about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you contrast that with what average US resident spends. I know multiple businesses who are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages for medical benefits. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, those payments include retirement benefits, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection along with supporting medical services. When including these expenses compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Implementation for America

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It ought to be income-adjusted – wealthier individuals would contribute higher amounts than those earning less. There would be both an employee and company payments. Similar to much of federal defense, IT, social programs and infrastructure, the program could be managed by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for small businesses like mine. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations that can pay for superior coverage. It would render management much easier (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and Medicare taxes, rather than individual transactions to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would enable simpler for us to budget our yearly costs, rather than enduring the complex (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with the big insurance providers required annually every year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding of coverage by our employees – contrasted with existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complications of existing plans. And there would definitely exist less liability for companies since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' medical records for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that public institutions play important functions in society, including national security to supporting needed infrastructure. Ensuring medical coverage to all through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs which hire more than half of the country's workers and generate half of our GDP. It makes it possible for workers to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I'm not addressing? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses experienced in recent years, it's evident that current healthcare legislation is not working 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 the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a superior and less expensive approach for not only controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't exceptional. We rank significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, according to major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect amid current situation could be that we take serious examination in the mirror and agree that big changes need to happen.