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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Co-insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. Point of Service. HDHP. HSA. FSA. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Certainly not the average business owner. Neither the average worker. Selecting the right medical coverage for our business – or for our families – seems like demands advanced expertise in healthcare.

The Healthcare System Is More Than Complicated, It's Expensive

Based on recent research, typical households spends $27,000 annually on medical coverage (up 6% compared to last year). The average company healthcare expense is projected to exceed $seventeen thousand for each worker in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Currently the government has ceased functioning because political disagreements over subsidies that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% for numerous US citizens.

When Might We Seriously Consider Universal Healthcare?

When will we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program in the United States? I'm convinced we're approaching that point since this can't continue.

I'm not suggesting government-run medicine. I'm proposing for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system doesn't change. How medical professionals receive payment would change. Believe me, they will adjust.

How Universal Coverage Could Function

Universal healthcare coverage would require payments from both employees and employers. In similar programs, a worker making moderate income must contribute about five point three percent to their healthcare. The company must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you contrast that with what average US resident spends. I can name multiple clients that are routinely paying between eight to fifteen percent of payroll costs to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that with comprehensive systems, these contributions include retirement benefits, illness coverage, maternity leave and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting medical services. When including these expenses versus what we pay for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Execution for America

For America, universal healthcare funding would increase our Medicare tax deduction, a system already established. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would contribute higher amounts than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and employer contribution. And, like many federal military, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the system could be managed by private contractors instead of federal agencies.

Benefits for Small Businesses

Universal healthcare coverage would be a huge benefit for entrepreneurs like mine. It would put small companies in equal competition with our larger competitors who can afford superior coverage. It would render administration much easier (a payroll deduction processed similarly to social security and healthcare taxes, rather than separate payments to insurance companies and coverage administrators).

It would make simpler to plan expenses annual expenditures, rather than going through the complex (and fruitless) theater of negotiating with major insurers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would exist a better understanding about benefits among workers – contrasted with existing arrangements where they have to decipher the complexities of existing plans. And there would certainly be less liability for employers as we no longer would be privy to workers' medical records for purposes of risk assessment and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as pro-market as possible. But I've learned that public institutions play important functions in society, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage to all via universal healthcare enhances our economy's infrastructure. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses that employ more than half of the country's workers and generate half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Are there numerous factors I haven't covered? Of course there are. But with rising medical expenses we've seen recently, it's evident that current healthcare legislation is not working very well. I understand that we're not a compact European nation where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a superior and less expensive strategy for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage for all citizens.

Time for Honest Assessment

As Americans, we need to tone down national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. The US places well below many other countries in healthcare quality globally, based on major studies. Maybe one positive aspect amid present circumstances could be that we take serious examination in the mirror and acknowledge that major reforms are necessary.