🔗 Share this article

Out-of-pocket costs. Preferred providers. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. Affordable Care Act. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. HDHP. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. HRA. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Premium tax credits.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average entrepreneur. Neither the average employee. Selecting the right healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – seems like it requires advanced expertise in medical insurance.

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

According to recent research, the average family pays $27,000 annually for their health insurance (increasing by 6% from last year). The average company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $seventeen thousand for each worker in 2026, a 9.5% jump compared to 2025.

Now the government has ceased functioning due to political disagreements over subsidies which analysts predict will lead to a doubling of premiums for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

When will we genuinely evaluate universal healthcare coverage in the United States? I have to believe we're getting closer because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating that our already existing Medicare system – an established insurance framework – merely extend to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How medical professionals get paid would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.

The Way Universal Coverage Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would need contributions from both workers and companies. In comparable systems, an employee making average wages must contribute approximately five point three percent to their healthcare. The company must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem like a lot? Unless you contrast it to what the typical American pays. I can name dozens of businesses who are easily contributing between 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that in inclusive programs, these contributions also cover pension plans, sick pay, parental benefits and job loss protection along with supporting healthcare facilities. When you add these expenses compared with our current spending on retirement programs, unemployment insurance and paid time off, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a framework already established. It should be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. There would be both an employee and employer contribution. Similar to many federal military, IT, social programs and transportation services, the system should be outsourced by private contractors rather than a government office.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

A national health insurance program would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would place us on a level playing field with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would make administration much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would enable it easier for us to budget annual expenditures, rather than going through the complicated (and ineffective) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do each year. Because it's simplified, there would be improved comprehension of coverage by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements which require them to decipher the complexities of current options. And there would definitely exist less liability for companies as we no longer have access to our employees' health histories for risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that government play important functions in society, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage for everyone through a national insurance system enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses which hire the majority of the country's workers and generate half the economic output. It makes it possible for workers to enjoy better health, come to work more often and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given rising medical expenses we've seen recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. I understand that America isn't a compact European nation where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes required, would remain a better and more affordable strategy for not only managing medical expenses but providing access to everyone.

Time for Honest Assessment

We as Americans, we need to reduce national pride. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, according to comprehensive research. Perhaps a positive aspect in this current situation is that we undertake a hard look at ourselves and agree that big changes are necessary.