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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Personal healthcare costs. Fixed payment. Shared insurance. Benefit advisers. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. Preferred Provider Organization. EPO. POS. HDHP. HSA. Flexible Spending Account. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Explanation of Benefits. COBRA. SHOP. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? You should be. Who comprehends all this stuff? Not the typical entrepreneur. Nor the typical worker. Choosing the right medical coverage for companies – or for households – appears to require it requires advanced expertise in healthcare.

Our Healthcare System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Expensive

Based on a recent study, typical households pays $twenty-seven thousand annually on medical coverage (up 6% compared to last year). Typical company healthcare expense is expected to surpass $17,000 per employee in 2026, an increase of 9.5% from 2025.

Currently the government is shut down due to partisan disputes over subsidies that experts say will lead to premium increases up to 100% 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 approaching that point because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not suggesting national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare program – an insurance system – merely extend to cover everyone. The existing system remains intact. The way our healthcare providers receive payment would change. Believe me, they will adjust.

How Universal Coverage Would Work

Universal healthcare coverage would need payments from both workers and companies. In similar programs, an employee making moderate income pays approximately 5.3% to their healthcare. The company pays about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Not if you contrast that with what the typical American pays. I can name dozens of clients who are routinely paying anywhere from 8% to 15% of their employee wages to their healthcare costs. And keep in mind that with inclusive programs, those payments include retirement benefits, sick pay, parental benefits and unemployment benefits in addition to supporting medical services. When you add these expenses compared with our current spending for our retirement plans, unemployment insurance and vacation benefits, the difference decreases.

Execution in the US

In the US, a national health premium 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 those earning less. This includes both an employee and company payments. Similar to many federal military, technology, welfare services and infrastructure, the system could be managed by private contractors rather than a government office.

Benefits for Small Businesses

A national health insurance program would be a significant advantage for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would put us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford superior coverage. It would render administration significantly simpler (automatic payroll withholding remitted like social security and Medicare 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 complicated (and fruitless) process of negotiating with major insurers that we must do every year. Due to simplification, there would exist improved comprehension about benefits by our employees – contrasted with existing arrangements which require them 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' health histories for purposes of weighing risks and alternative plans.

Capitalist Perspective

I'm as capitalist as possible. But I've learned that public institutions has a significant role in society, from providing defense to supporting essential systems. Providing healthcare to all through a national insurance system strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, simpler approach for entrepreneurs that employ more than half of the country's workers and fund half of our GDP. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, have better attendance and be more productive.

Addressing Concerns

Are there a million considerations I haven't covered? Certainly. But with all the healthcare cost increases experienced in recent years, it's clear that the Affordable Care Act is not working effectively. And I realize that we're not a compact European nation where big changes can be readily adopted. However extending universal Medicare, even with the additional taxes required, would still be a superior and less expensive strategy for not only managing medical expenses and ensuring coverage to everyone.

Need for Realistic Evaluation

We as Americans, we need to reduce our own arrogance. Our healthcare system isn't exceptional. The US places well below numerous nations with the best healthcare globally, based on comprehensive research. Perhaps a positive aspect amid present circumstances could be that we take a hard look at ourselves and acknowledge that major reforms need to happen.