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Out-of-pocket costs. In-network. Non-preferred providers. Concierge medical services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Insurance consultants. Insurance brokers. Healthcare consultants. ACA. Health Maintenance Organization. Preferred Provider Organization. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. Health Savings Account. FSA. HRA. Explanation of Benefits. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Family coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Baffled? It's understandable. Who comprehends this complex system? Not the typical entrepreneur. Neither the average worker. Selecting the appropriate healthcare insurance for companies – or for our families – appears to require demands advanced expertise in healthcare.

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

According to recent research, typical households spends $twenty-seven thousand each year for their health insurance (up 6% compared to last year). The average employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $17,000 for each worker in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Now the government is shut down because partisan disputes regarding tax credits that experts say could cause 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'm convinced we're getting closer since this can't continue.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm proposing that our already existing Medicare system – an established insurance framework – simply expand to cover everyone. The existing system doesn't change. How medical professionals receive payment would change. Trust me, they'll adapt.

The Way Universal Coverage Could Function

A national health insurance program would need contributions from employees and employers. In similar programs, an employee making moderate income must contribute about 5.3% toward medical coverage. Their employer must contribute approximately thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this seem expensive? Not if you contrast that with what the typical American pays. I know dozens of clients that are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. Remember that with inclusive programs, these contributions include retirement benefits, illness coverage, parental benefits and job loss protection in addition to funding medical services. When you add these expenses compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Execution in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would increase existing Medicare taxes, a framework that is already in place. It should be means-based – those at higher income levels would pay more than lower-income earners. This includes both worker and company payments. Similar to many our government's defense, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the program could be managed to third-party administrators instead of federal agencies.

Advantages for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage would be a significant advantage for small businesses such as my company. 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 retirement and healthcare taxes, rather than individual transactions to benefit firms and coverage administrators).

It would enable simpler for us to budget annual expenditures, rather than going through the complex (and fruitless) theater of bargaining with the big insurance providers that we must do every year. Because it's simplified, there would be a better understanding about benefits by our employees – as opposed to the current system where they have to interpret the complexities of current options. And there would certainly be less liability for companies since we wouldn't have access to workers' medical records for purposes of weighing risks and different options.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as possible. However I recognize that government play important functions in our lives, from providing defense to supporting needed infrastructure. Providing healthcare to all via universal healthcare enhances economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for small businesses that employ the majority of American employees and generate half the economic output. It enables employees to be healthier, come to work more often and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Exist numerous factors I haven't covered? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, it's clear that current healthcare legislation isn't functioning very well. And I realize that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms can be readily adopted. However extending Medicare for all, despite increased taxation required, would remain a superior and less expensive strategy both for controlling healthcare costs but providing access for all citizens.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

As Americans, we need to tone down national pride. Our healthcare system isn't so great. We rank significantly behind numerous nations in healthcare quality in the world, according to comprehensive research. Perhaps a bright spot in this current situation is that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and agree that big changes are necessary.