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Deductibles. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Insurance brokers. Medical advisors. ACA. HMO. PPO. EPO. POS. HDHP. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Individual coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? You should be. Who understands all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical employee. Choosing the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – appears to require demands a PhD in healthcare.

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

According to recent research, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand each year on medical coverage (up 6% compared to last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to exceed $17,000 per employee in 2026, a 9.5% jump from 2025.

Currently the government is shut down due to political disagreements regarding subsidies that experts say could cause premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Will We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

When will we seriously consider universal healthcare coverage 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 that our already existing Medicare system – an established insurance framework – simply expand to include all citizens. The existing system doesn't change. How medical professionals receive payment would change. Believe me, they will adjust.

How National Health Insurance Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would require contributions from employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee making moderate income must contribute approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you contrast it to what average American pays. I know multiple clients that are routinely paying between 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that with comprehensive systems, those payments also cover retirement benefits, sick pay, maternity leave and unemployment benefits along with funding medical services. When you add those costs compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a system already established. It ought to be income-adjusted – those at higher income levels would pay more than those earning less. There would be both an employee and company payments. Similar to many federal defense, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the system should be outsourced by private contractors instead of a government office.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a huge benefit 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 management significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and Medicare taxes, rather than separate payments to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would make it easier to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than going through the complicated (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding of coverage among workers – as opposed to the current system which require them to decipher the complications of current options. Additionally there would definitely exist less liability for employers as we no longer have access to workers' medical records for purposes of risk assessment and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that public institutions has a significant role in our lives, from providing defense to funding essential systems. Providing healthcare for everyone through a national insurance system strengthens economic foundations. It represents superior, simpler approach for small businesses that employ the majority of American employees and fund half the economic output. It enables employees to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Considering Challenges

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. Given all the healthcare cost increases we've seen recently, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act isn't functioning effectively. And I realize that we're not a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms can be readily adopted. But expanding universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would still be a better and more affordable strategy both for controlling healthcare costs and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to reduce national pride. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. The US places significantly behind many other countries with the best healthcare in the world, according to major studies. Perhaps a positive aspect amid present circumstances could be that we take a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.