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Deductibles. Preferred providers. Out-of-network. Premium health services. Out-of-pocket expenses. Co-payment. Co-insurance. Insurance consultants. Coverage agents. Medical advisors. Affordable Care Act. HMO. PPO. Exclusive Provider Organization. POS. HDHP. HSA. FSA. Health Reimbursement Arrangement. EOB. COBRA. Small Business Health Options Program. Single coverage. Dependent coverage. Insurance subsidies.

Confused? It's understandable. Who understands this complex system? Certainly not the average business owner. Nor the typical worker. Choosing the right medical coverage for our business – or for households – appears to require it requires a PhD in medical insurance.

Our Medical System Is More Than Complicated, It Is Expensive

According to recent research, the average family spends $27,000 annually on medical coverage (increasing by 6% from last year). Typical employer health insurance cost is projected to exceed $17,000 per employee by 2026, an increase of 9.5% compared to 2025.

Now the government has ceased functioning due to partisan disputes regarding tax credits which analysts predict could cause premium increases up to 100% for millions of Americans.

When Will We Truly Examine Universal Healthcare?

How soon might we genuinely evaluate a national health insurance program here in America? I'm convinced we're approaching that point because this situation is unsustainable.

I'm not proposing national healthcare. I'm advocating for our current Medicare system – an insurance system – simply expand to cover everyone. Our infrastructure doesn't change. How medical professionals receive payment changes. Believe me, they will adjust.

The Way Universal Coverage Would Work

A national health insurance program would require payments from employees and employers. In comparable systems, an employee making average wages pays about 5.3% to their healthcare. Their employer pays about thirteen point seventy-five percent.

Does this appear expensive? Unless you compare it to what average American pays. I know multiple clients that are easily contributing between eight to fifteen percent of their employee wages for medical benefits. And keep in mind that in comprehensive systems, these contributions include retirement benefits, sick pay, maternity leave and job loss protection in addition to funding medical services. When you add these expenses compared with our current spending on retirement programs, job loss coverage and vacation benefits, the gap narrows.

Execution in the US

In the US, universal healthcare funding would raise our Medicare tax deduction, a system that is already in place. It should be means-based – wealthier individuals would pay more than those earning less. There would be both worker and employer contribution. Similar to much of federal defense, IT, social programs and infrastructure, the program should be outsourced to third-party administrators rather than a government office.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

Universal healthcare coverage represents a significant advantage for entrepreneurs such as my company. It would place us on a level playing field against big corporations who can afford better plans. It would make management much easier (automatic payroll withholding processed similarly to retirement and healthcare taxes, instead of separate payments to insurance companies and insurance providers).

It would make simpler to plan expenses our yearly costs, instead of enduring the complicated (and ineffective) theater of negotiating with major insurers required annually every year. Due to simplification, there would be a better understanding about benefits by our employees – as opposed to existing arrangements where they have to interpret the complexities of current options. Additionally there would certainly be less liability for employers since we wouldn't would be privy to workers' medical records for weighing risks and alternative plans.

Free-Market Viewpoint

I'm as capitalist as they get. But I've learned that government play important functions in our lives, including national security to supporting essential systems. Ensuring medical coverage to all via universal healthcare strengthens economic foundations. It's a better, easier system for entrepreneurs that employ the majority of American employees and fund half the economic output. It makes it possible employees to be healthier, have better attendance and increase productivity.

Addressing Concerns

Exist a million considerations I'm not addressing? Certainly. But with rising medical expenses we've seen recently, it's clear that current healthcare legislation is not working very well. And I realize that America isn't a small, Scandinavian country where major reforms are easier to implement. But expanding universal Medicare, despite the additional taxes that would be incurred, would remain a better and more affordable strategy both for controlling healthcare costs but providing access to everyone.

Need for Honest Assessment

As Americans, must reduce our own arrogance. America's medical care isn't so great. We rank significantly behind many other countries in healthcare quality globally, based on comprehensive research. Maybe one positive aspect amid present circumstances could be that we undertake a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge that big changes are necessary.